This question has plagued many volunteer departments for decades. People volunteer for many different reasons: everyone in their family has done so for generations so they do so also, to help serve their community and others, to enrich their own life and add to their experiences, and to seek the glory and spotlight.

The first and last reason are the hardest to deal with. If someone joins just because their grandpa and father were on and that is their only motivation then you will not be able to reach them. Chances are they just feel the pressure from the family to follow tradition but their heart will not be in it. In contrast, the last one who joins just to flash a badge and drive down the street in a shiny red truck. They are in it just to look good and impress people and will be a danger to both themselves and their teammates.

The ones that are there to serve the community and also enrich their own lives are the heart and soul of the volunteer fire department. They are the hard workers. The ones who will work all day and then stay out all night to fight a fire and get up again in the morning to go to their regular job. They are the ones who will want to train. They realize that training is important and will provide them with the skills necessary to stay safe. They enrich their lives by adding knowledge and skills, by creating goodwill in the community and by helping their neighbors and friends.

Now all this is fine and dandy, but how do we attract and retain these people? It is getting harder and harder for volunteer departments to find people that are willing to devote some time. I am ashamed to say that most of my generation would rather spend all their free time playing video games or hanging out at the bars (and I'm not necessarily young either . . . just reaching my prime at 37!). People are much more mobile these days and because of that have not developed the sense of community and belonging that was the mainstay of rural America. Neighbors do not know neighbors anymore. Without knowing your community the desire to help and serve them diminishes.

In my opinion the future of the volunteer departments depends upon public relations. It is essential for the vol. departments to spend time out in the community. Get to know the people there. Host picnics and bbq's. Go to the schools and teach fire prevention. Have a dunk tank at the local fair. Install smoke detectors for the elderly. Bag groceries at the local store one day and hand out fire safety tips. Write letters to the editor or monthly news columns talking about all aspects of fire safety and prevention and also highlight and recognize the training and achievements of the members.

The community needs to know what we do and see us devoting the time to better ourselves. Make sure you talk up your training (don't exagerate or fake it) but do your weekly or monthly trainings out where the public can see you. Take pictures and submit them to the newspapers. Get to know the community during good times . . . don't wait until tragedy strikes before they see you.

Public relations is a big component of recruitment. Once the community sees you having a good time doing training or putting on a breakfast and sees how well everyone works together they will be more willing to want to be a part of that group. Remember, every time your department is seen by the public doing something it can be used as a chance for inviting someone to consider joining your ranks.

I believe it is best to screen your members. I would rather have a smaller department made up of quality, dedicated firefighters than to swell the ranks with bodies just to do so. If your department is filled with glory hounds and wannabe's or with those who don't want to put in the time necessary then these people will reflect badly upon the whole department making it even harder to attract good new members. Just because we are volunteers does not mean that we can not be professional, nor does it relieve us of certain duties and responsibilities. I want to know that I can trust the person next to me with my life and want them to have the same confidence in me too.

Retention then is a whole new subject that will be discussed next time.