1. Recruitment and Retention Grant Program Initiative
Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania
2015
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 kicked off at the 2014 annual state convention with a presentation and announcement regarding the program.
As part of this program, a local grant opportunity is being 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

2. Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Promotional materials
Conduct open house
Logo wear
Albrightville Volunteer Fire Company, Carbon County, received $5,000 which was used to prepare promotional materials that were used for recruitment, and at an open house event. Logo wear was obtained as an incentive for retaining members.
The fire company reports 5 new firefighters were recruited as well as 4 new support members.
Result: new firefighters
4 new support members

3. Americus Hose Company Sunbury, PA
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Develop and release community mailer
(recruitment)
Logo wear for current members
(retention)
The Americus Hose Company in Sunbury, Northumberland County, received $5,000.
The funds were used to develop and release a community mailer for recruitment, and logo wear was obtained for current members as a retention technique.
One new firefighter joined (he was a member in another community previously) and no members were lost during the year.
Result: new firefighter recruited, none left
new member was firemen in prior town

4. Bonneauville Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Construct live-in quarters to attract local college students
Community outreach through a smoke detector program and recruit members at same time
The Bonneauville Volunteer Fire Company in Adams County received $5,000.
This was used to build live-in quarters to attract local college students. In addition, a smoke detector program was conducted as a community outreach campaign as well as recruitment effort.
2 new firefighters as well as 1 new active member.
Result: new firefighters
1 new active member

5. Colonial Park Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Recruit new members and reward existing members who maintained active status by responding to a minimum of 30% of fire company activities. Purchases included a table cover, tent, static and video displays for public outreach activities. Advertising was originally budgeted and then was later provided pro-bono by local broadcasters as part of their public service announcement program. Remaining funds were utilized to reward those actively participating in company activities with company branded work apparel that serves the purpose of marketing the department as well.
The Colonial Park Volunteer Fire Company, Dauphin County, received $5,000.
They used a comprehensive approach to Recruit new members and reward existing members who maintained active status by responding to a minimum of 30% of fire company activities.
Purchases included a table cover, tent, static and video displays for public outreach activities. Advertising was originally budgeted and then was later provided pro-bono by local broadcasters as part of their public service announcement program.
Remaining funds were utilized to reward those actively participating in company activities with company branded work apparel that serves the purpose of marketing the department as well.
They gained 12 new firefighters, 2 Fire Police and 5 support memebers.
Result: firefighters , 7 support members - Fire Police (2) and others (5) who do facility and apparatus maintenance, fundraising and administrative support.
NOTE: Six of the new firefighters attained Firefighter I certification in 2015 and two of the new members achieved Firefighter II certification in 2015.

6. Darby Fire Patrol #1 Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Website redesign
Website placement
on apparatus
Posters for distribution
throughout community
Darby Fire Patrol #1, Delaware County, received $5,000.
Their emphasis was recruitment , through website redesign, placing the website address on apparatus , as well as developing and distributing posters throughout the community.
4 new firefighters were recruited as well as 6 new members.
Result: firefighters
6 new active members

7. Elysburg Volunteer Fire Company
$3,500 Grant
Activity:
Conduct a fire cadet weekend
All attendees received a rescue
tool, sinch bag, shirt and training
In 5 years, 148 cadets have completed the program with 49 now active members in local departments
Elysburg Volunteer Fire Company, Northumberland County, received $3,500.
The funds were used to conduct a fire cadet weekend. Where all attendees received training, logo wear and equipment. In 5 years 148 cadets have completed the program with 49 or 33% now active members in local departments.
There were 36 participants the past year, of which 13 became new members.
Result: participants this year
13 have become new active members

8. Factoryville Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Recruitment
Career fair activities & poster contest
Social Media blitz
Banners & Flags
Retention
Logo wear & Gift cards to responders
Challenge coin to show accomplishments
Factoryville Volunteer Fire Company, Wyoming County received $5,000.
The funds were used to develop customized marketing materials and engage college and high school students.
The Fire Company participated in two Career Fair opportunities, one at the Keystone College and the other at the Lackawanna Trail Jr/Sr High School. They also conducted a poster campaign appealing to the students.
A social media blitz on the departments Facebook page along with an outdoor billboard customized using department personnel and logo. Also the ad was used in a local advertising paper for 4 consecutive weeks. Several Banner and Flags were made for recruiting events.
A special t shirt and Ball cap was developed for the teams going out in the public for recruitment activities and appreciation for our current volunteers. As part of our recognition event we provided gift cards to responders who made the most calls.
Also we developed a challenge coin for distribution for new members and those that show special accomplishments.
They were able to recruit 2 new persons to the department and have had an increased interest
Result: new active members

9. Fairview Township Fire Department
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Sponsor a targeted community mailing
Create literature; specifically, post cards, posters, business cards and rack cards
Create electronic QR code for access to FTFD to gather specific interest surrounding membership
Marketing display for community events and membership drives; canopy and table set-up
Magnetic signs for QR code on apparatus
Stationary recruitment signs
Fairview Township Fire Department, Cumberland County received $5,000.
Their efforts were recruitment focused and included a targeted community mailing and visibility effort, including post cards, business cards, rack cards, a marketing display, canopy and table set-up, magnetic signs and stationary recruitment signs. An electronic QR (quick response) code for access to Fairview Township Fire Department.
5 new firefighters and 5 support members were recruited.
Result: firefighters
5 support members

10. Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Develop an awareness of need for volunteers in the community with visual and audible messages
Create/focus on R&R logo “who will fill these boots”
Purchase jackets w/logo for active members
Purchase license plates w/logo for members
Purchase pens with logo to distribute at events
Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company, Carbon County received $5,000.
They developed an awareness of the need for volunteer in the community with visual and audible messages. They developed a logo “who will fill these boots” which served as their focal point. Logo pens were purchased for distribution at events as well. For retention, logo wear and license plates were obtained for members.
4 new active members and 1 new support member were obtained.
Result: new active members/1 new support member

11. Minersville Volunteer Fire Company
$1,000 Grant
Activity:
Create recruitment materials
Attend public events and hand out items
Flyers, magnets,
flags for station & apparatus
The Minersville Volunteer Fire Company, Schuylkill County obtained a $1,000 grant to create and distribute recruitment materials at public events.
Items included flyers, magnets, and flags for the station and on apparatus.
3 firefighters were recruited.
Result: firefighters

12. Fire Department of Mounty Joy
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Street banner
Newspaper Advertising
Facebook
Open house with food
Promotional Videos
The Fire Department of Mount Joy, Lancaster County received $5,000 and embarked on an ambitious recruitment campaign.
Newspaper ads, a promotional video, an open house with food, and Facebook efforts were used to recruit 6 firefighters, 3 junior firefighters, 2 support members and 3 fire police.
Result: firefighters 3 junior firefighters
2 support members 3 fire police

13. Progress Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Recruitment Materials purchased & distributed cards/Banner
Gift cards for performance level – retention incentive
In station computer for live in use
Progress Volunteer Fire Company, Dauphin County received $5,000. Their efforts were both recruitment and retention oriented.
Recruitment materials were purchased and distributed. Gift cards were given to members achieving performance levels, and in-station computer capabilities were provided for live-in members.
6 new active members were recruited along with 4 live-in firefighters.
Result: 6 new active members including
4 live in firefighters

14. Upper Merion Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services
$5,500 Grant
Activity:
4 agency initiative
Public Service
Announcement created/released
Recruitment material purchase – posters, signs, banners, yard signs
Upper Merion Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services is comprised of the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company, Swedeland Volunteer Fire Company, Swedesburg Volunteer Fire Company and Lafayette Ambulance & Rescue Company, in Montgomery County.
The 4-agency initiative included development and release of a public service announcement, and recruitment and materials including posters, signs, banners, and yard signs.
3 new active firefighters were recruited.
Result: new active members

15. Washington Fire Company Conshohocken, PA
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Purchase electronic signs for recruitment
Purchase banners for recruitment
Purchase 2-sided yard signs, placed throughout the community.
Washington Fire Company, Montgomery County, received $5,000.
They purchased an electric sign for recruitment and purchased banners and 2-sided yard signs for recruitment.
Their efforts resulted in 3 firefighters and 1 support member.
Result: Firefighters
1 support member – fundraising & clerical

16. West Grove Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Lawn signs
Tri-fold recruitment brochure
Open House with “trinkets” to guests
Retention Award for completing state certified classes
West Grove Volunteer Fire Company, Chester County, received $5,000.
Recruitment activities included lawn signs, a tri-fold recruitment brochure, and an open-house where various items were given to guests.
For those firefighters completing state certified training classes, retention awards were given.
1 new active member joined.
Result: new active member

17. Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Develop a targeted program for expanding their area of service through advertising and incentives.
Primary program is
Bucks County R&R
Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company, Bucks County received $5,000.
The fire company used the funds to develop a targeted program for expanding their are of service through advertising and incentives.
New members were recruited.
Result: No results were reported

18. 2015 FASP Recruitment and Retention Grant Program Summary
$75,000 committed in grant money 16 fire/EMS agencies 85 firefighters, 4 live-in members 3 junior firefighters 5 fire police and 45 active/support members.
The FASP offered 15 grants in 2015 totaling $75,000.
The results were recruitments of a total of 142 new members statewide;
85 firefighters, 4 live-in members, 3 junior firefighters, 5 fire police and 45 active/support members.