Recruitment and Retention Grant Program Initiative Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania 2016 Recruitment and Retention Grant Program Initiative Summary of Activities & Results The Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania’s SAFER Grant to enhance recruitment and retention for Pennsylvania’s fire and EMS Community was continued in 2016 As part of this program, a local grant opportunity was provided. The Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania (FASP) offer recruitment and retention grants to fire and EMS agencies in Pennsylvania as part of a comprehensive SAFER Grant. Details include, by accepting this grant, the agency hereby agrees to provide a report to the Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania Administrator or funds will be returned to the Association. The report form for completion is within the grant request. The maximum amount the of grant is $5,000. Grants will be awarded for fire/EMS agencies who want to customize and implement the core recruitment marketing materials developed by FASP. The funds can be used to customize the materials based on local recruitment issues as well as to pay for printing costs associated with the materials. The expected goal is that you will be able to recruit at least one qualified person for specific purposes. To qualify THE AGENCY (FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT) MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. These are the stories of the first grant award winners. Project managed by

Aston Township Fire Department $5,000 Grant Activity: Obtain a tent, posters, sign board and advertising for recruitment. Aston Township Fire Department, Delaware County, received $5,000 which was used to prepare promotional materials, advertise, obtain a sign board and tent for use at events. The fire company reports 5 new firefighters were recruited as well as 2 new support members for fundraising and administrative assistance. Result: 5 new firefighters 2 new support members (fundraising & administrative)

Blue Rock Regional Fire District $5,000 Grant Activity: Website, poster and advertisements Conduct open house and public events Retention appreciation events for the members Blue Rock regional fire district in Lancaster County developed a website, created posters and advertisements and held open houses and public events. Member retention appreciation events were held for the members. The district represents the consolidation of several fire companies. It reports 18 new firefighters were recruited as well as 1 new support member. Result: 18 new firefighters 1 new support members

Canonsburg Volunteer Fire Company $5,000 Grant Activity: Video production Printed materials Promotional items Canonsburg Volunteer Fire Department, Washington County, received $5,000 which was used to develop a promotional video, a variety of printed materials such as, posters, tri-fold brochures, and table tents, as well as a variety of promotional items. The fire company reports 8 new firefighters were recruited as well as 1 new support member and the return of a former member. Result: 8 new firefighters 1 new support member 1 former member returned

Citizen’s Hose Company No. 1 of Dillsburg $3.136 Grant Activity: Flyers in Newspapers twice monthly Citizen’s Hose Company No. 1 of Dillsburg, York County, PA received $3,136 to create and provide flyers twice a month in local newspapers. They printed 23,400 recruiting flyers and had them inserted into the local newspaper, The Dillsburg Banner. They did 6 runs of 3,900 copies each; over a 6 month period. Unfortunately the fire company was not able to recruit any new members. Result: 0 new firefighters

Conshohocken Fire Company #1 $5,000 Grant Activity: Produced video & promotional flyer The Conshohocken Fire Company Number 1, Montgomery County, received $5,000 which was used to prepare recruitment letters. The fire company reports 6 new firefighters. Result: 6 new firefighters

Diamond Fire Company of Walnutport $5,000 Grant Activity: Recruitment signs, banners, and flyers obtained and strategically placed in the community; as well as a large sign on Main St. Logo wear for members meeting performance/recruiting duties Diamond Fire Company of Walnutport, Northampton County, received $5,000 which was used to prepare a promotional signs, banners, flyers and a sign for Main Street as a recruitment effort and for members who attained performance goals for recruiting members and operations, retention awards of logo wear were provided. The fire company reports 2 new firefighters were recruited as well as 1 new support member. Result: 2 new firefighters 1 new support members

Flourtown Fire Company $5,000 Grant Activity: Developed a video & created and implemented a mentoring program Flourtown Fire Company, Montgomery County, received $5,000 which was used to develop a video and create and implement a mentoring program for the department to establish more consistent branding of the organization. The video was identified as a direct link to what brought new members in to the organization The fire company reports 2 new firefighters were recruited as well as 2 new fire police members. Result: 2 new firefighters 2 new fire police members

Franklintown & Community Fire Company $5,000 Grant Activity: Retention activities involving social events, logo wear and awards for performance Franklintown and Community Fire Company, County, received $5,000 which was used to support retention activities involving local social events, logo wear and performance awards which were based upon performance criteria. The fire company reports that the recognition and awards motivated members to continue to serve. Result: Current members were recognized for their service and retained.

Hummel’s Wharf Fire Department $5,000 Grant Activity: Advertisement via Billboards TV/Radio Newspaper Student First Responder Program Hummel’s Wharf Fire Department, Snyder County, received $5,000 which was used to prepare promotional materials as well as radio/tv spots that were used for recruitment. A student first responder program was also implemented. The fire company reports 5 new firefighters were recruited. Result: 5 new firefighters

Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company $5,000 Grant Activity: Expand on program from prior year Provide logo wear for use at promotional events and fundraisers. Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company, Carbon County, received $5,000 which was used to expand its program from the prior year, and provide logo wear for use at community fundraising and recruitment events. The fire company reports 2 new firefighters were recruited as well as 1 new support member; and a local financial advisor has offered to perform the fire company audit (mandated by state law and local township) free of charge at the end of the year. Result: 2 new firefighters 1 new support member

Millbourne Volunteer Fire Company $5,000 Grant Activity: Design, prepare and print a variety of recruitment materials & retention performance recognition items The Millbourne Volunteer Fire Company, Delaware County, received $5,000 which was used to design, prepare and print promotional materials that were used for recruitment; as well the use of a performance recognition program to retain members. The fire company reports 4 new firefighters were recruited and current members retained. Result: 4 new firefighters

North Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Company $1,864 Grant Activity: Purchased and installed a lighted public information sign for recruiting new members North Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Company, Westmoreland County, received $1,864 which was used to procure and install a lighted public information sign to be used primarily to recruit members. The fire company reports 6 new firefighters were recruited as well as 4 new support members. Result: 6 new firefighters

Rothsville VFC & Fire Department of Mount Joy $10,000 Grant Activity: Sponsored a Countywide cooperative effort advertising for regional recruiting day based on success of Mt. Joy area 2015 grant. 8 Fire companies participated in: Newspaper ads, electronic billboard, radio ad A regional recruiting day was facilitated by a joint grant to Rothsville Volunteer Fire Company and Fire Department of Mount Joy, for the Lancaster County area. Together, they shared with fire companies from Mastersonville, Elizabethtown, Manheim, Brickerville, Brunnerville, and Lititz in advertising locally in newspapers, using an electronic billboard, and advertising on WGAL for one month. In addition, the use of facebook, websites related social media supported the effort. The regional effort netted 11 new firefighters, 1 new fire police member and 3 new support members. Result: 11 new firefighters 1 new fire police member 3 new support members

United Hook & Ladder Company #33 $5,000 Grant Activity: Created and used brochures, yard signs printed materials Conducted a citizens fire academy United Hook and Ladder, Company #33, Adams County, received $5,000 which was used to for brochures, yard signs, printed materials, and related promotional materials. The fire company reports 5 new firefighters were recruited. Result: 5 new firefighters

2016 FASP Recruitment and Retention Grant Program Summary $75,000 committed in grant money 16 fire/EMS agencies 75 firefighters, 3 fire police and 9 active/support members. The FASP offered 15 grants in 2016 totaling $75,000. The results were recruitments of a total of 142 new members statewide; 75 firefighters, 3 fire police and 9 active/support members. The total two year number of recruited personnel stands at 229.