Firefighter recruit portal launched to combat volunteer decline

GREENBELT, Md. —The National Volunteer Fire Council launched a free department portal component as part of its new Make Me a Firefighter volunteer recruitment campaign.

NVFC was awarded a FEMA SAFER grant to conduct a nationwide recruitment campaign. The first component of the Make Me a Firefighter campaign consists of the portal where volunteer and combination departments can register and post their volunteer opportunities.

Starting Aug. 1, NVFC will launch a public website allowing volunteers to search and connect with their local department. They will also release resources through the campaign to help departments recruit members. It includes ads and materials that departments can customize to reach audiences such as millennials, women and minorities.

"Recruitment is a challenge for many volunteer and combination departments across the country," said NVFC Chairman Kevin D. Quinn. "Yet our research shows that 44 percent of millennials are interested in volunteering with their local department."

"Many simply don't know the need for volunteers exists. The Make Me a Firefighter campaign will help build awareness among the public as well as provide departments with the tools and resources they need to recruit to this and other target audiences."

Volunteer and combination departments can sign up here to join the campaign and showcase volunteer opportunities. Learn more about the Make Me a Firefighter campaign and the department portal by watching this video.