Recruit volunteers for your fire department
FireDepartment.net exists to help fire departments connect with the people in their communities, share information that keeps those communities safe, and, most of all, recruit volunteers. Everything here is free for fire departments.
People search online for how to become a volunteer firefighter, how to reach their fire department and how to keep their families safe. When your department has a clear page with current information and an easy way to apply, those people find you.
Every volunteer makes the department stronger
The more people in your community who are involved with your fire department, in any role you can manage well, the more advocates you have. Each of them tells friends, coworkers and neighbors about volunteering, helps with fundraising and passes on fire safety. That word of mouth reaches people your posts and signs never will.
Firefighting isn't the only way to keep a community safe. Prevention, such as teaching fire safety in schools, installing smoke alarms, helping neighbors prepare their homes for wildfire and staffing open houses, may not be as exciting to people who want to fight fire, but it can be deeply rewarding to others. Supporting the crew is too: keeping equipment running, writing grants, taking photos, and bringing food and water to long incidents.
Non-firefighter volunteers make your firefighting program stronger. They take work off your responders so they can train and answer calls, they bring skills your crew may not have, and some of them, once they see the department from the inside, decide to train as firefighters or EMTs.
Recruit each kind of volunteer
Fire departments need more than firefighters. Recruit each kind of volunteer for what they will do, and tell them so.
Firefighters
Volunteers who train to answer fires, crashes, rescues and, in many departments, medical calls. Be clear about the training, the time and the requirements, and show the path to a paid career.
EMTs and medical responders
Volunteers who answer medical calls, often without fighting fire. Reach health-care students, people who already hold a license, and anyone who wants to help a neighbor in an emergency.
Support volunteers
Volunteers who don't go on calls: mechanics, bookkeepers, photographers, grant writers and event helpers. Ask for a specific job and say how much time it takes.
Free help for your department
Free volunteer application
An online volunteer application you can link to from your website, with each application emailed to your recruiter.
Update your listing
Add photos and update your department's information, including your volunteer information, at no cost.
How to recruit more volunteers
A free guide: describe what volunteering is like, invite people to training nights and open houses, show your members at work, and follow up fast.