The Professional Volunteer Fire Service: Celebrating the Heart of the Volunteer Fire Service
Description
The Professional Volunteer Fire Service: Celebrating the Heart of the Volunteer Fire Service
In this episode of The Professional Volunteer Fire Department, host Tom Merrill sits down with Rick Lasky and John Salka to discuss the enduring strength and value of volunteer firefighters. Despite ongoing challenges and negativity, volunteer fire departments remain a vital part of the firefighting community, comprising roughly two-thirds of all U.S. fire departments. The conversation highlights the deep commitment volunteers bring—often sacrificing family time and personal convenience. During the episode, the members of the panel explore how departments can embrace diverse roles to keep members engaged, from frontline firefighting to administrative and support tasks. They discuss innovative solutions like flexible credit for training and call availability, creative recruiting tactics, and the importance of leadership charisma in retaining volunteers.
United States
