Volunteer fire and EMS departments are facing a growing crisis. Many departments struggle to recruit and retain members while call volumes – especially for medical emergencies – continue to increase. This NVFC Roundtable Talk will bring together fire and EMS leaders to explore the key challenges driving EMS recruitment and retention struggles in volunteer departments, including the time and financial demands of training and recertification, work-life balance, economic pressures, leadership gaps, and the disconnect between community expectations and the realities of volunteering. Participants will also discuss practical strategies and best practices to help departments attract new members and retain experienced ones for the long term.

Onboarding volunteer firefighters and EMS providers comes with unique challenges, including limited time, staffing, and resources. Without a structured process in place, departments risk losing new volunteers before they ever have the chance to make an impact. This webinar will cover practical strategies for building an effective onboarding program that welcomes new members, sets clear expectations, and connects them to the mission of their department from day one. Whether your department is building an onboarding process from scratch or looking to improve what you already have, you'll walk away with actionable tools and ideas you can put to work right away.

This course is designed and intended to assist volunteer fire and EMS departments in the U.S. with their recruitment and retention of volunteers. It may also be of use to state/county fire associations supporting volunteer fire and EMS/rescue organizations or state/local government supporting volunteer fire and EMS/rescue organizations.

Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with your community and showcasing the value of volunteer service. This roundtable talk will explore strategies for using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to enhance recruitment and retention efforts. Participants will learn how to highlight their department’s culture, share compelling stories, engage prospective volunteers, and build an online presence that supports long-term membership growth. Practical tips, examples, and best practices will be provided to help departments maximize their reach and strengthen their R&R initiatives.

Join New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Wallace and former North Charleston Fire Chief Greg Bulanow for a compelling virtual conversation on how mattering can be a valuable force to combat burnout in the fire and emergency services, inspired by Jennifer’s forthcoming book Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose. Drawing on Jennifer’s research and her time embedded with Greg’s department – where small, intentional practices to affirm value transformed morale, retention, and well-being – this 60-minute session blends story and science to illuminate why mattering – feeling valued and having the opportunity to add value to the world around us – is not a luxury, but a core human need that protects mental health, strengthens purpose, and sustains resilience. Together, Jennifer and Greg will explore how reconnecting to our impact can counter burnout, alongside practical, actionable tools leaders and firefighters can use to foster trust, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose across their departments.

Veterans are a positive, reliable, and trusted resource for every community. A veteran never stops serving, and when called by their community, they will serve again. In honor of National Veterans and Military Families Month in November, the NVFC is hosting a webinar on how the volunteer emergency services can benefit by recruiting veterans onto their teams. Presenter Joe Danao, a veteran who serves as a firefighter/EMT, will provide background details on the veteran experience and how volunteer departments can actively engage with veterans and their families. With close to 8 million U.S. veterans between the ages of 20 and 59, there are ample opportunities to welcome and include veterans into the fire and emergency services.

Mentorship is a powerful tool to pass on knowledge, skills, and culture in the fire service. This NVFC Roundtable Talk will explore how mentorship programs can strengthen recruitment, retention, and leadership development in the fire service, creating stronger responders, teams, and departments. Panelists will share practical approaches for starting and sustaining mentor programs, lessons learned from their own departments, and ideas for creating a culture of support and growth.

In today's challenging recruitment landscape, volunteer fire departments face unprecedented hurdles in attracting and retaining dedicated volunteers. In this webinar, presenter Katie Bulla will discuss a variety of free and cheap online tools that can significantly simplify recruitment efforts and the application process. Harness the technology of today to overcome the recruitment challenges of our times, ensuring your department continues to serve the community effectively. Learn how these digital solutions can help you bridge the gap between potential volunteers and your department's needs, ultimately strengthening your team and ensuring the safety of your community.

Our webinars feature subject matter experts providing in-depth insights on key topics relevant to the fire and emergency services. These sessions offer valuable knowledge, practical strategies, and expert guidance in a convenient, virtual format. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and ask questions during a live Q&A.

Many fire and EMS departments across the nation are struggling to find new volunteer members and retain their current members. This session discusses the challenges of recruiting volunteers, presents valuable research collected as part of the NVFC’s Make Me A Firefighter campaign, and offers ideas to help overcome recruiting challenges. Potential retention solutions and the importance of leadership will also be covered.