1. Recruitment and Retention Grant Program Initiative
Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania
2017
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. To date, the program has released $75,000 in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
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 of the 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 2017 grant award recipients.
Project managed by

2. Abington Township Fire Department
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Design, write content,
layout, photography, and
printing of 1,000 copies
of a full color, six panel,
tri-fold brochure.
The Abington Township Fire Department in Montgomery County received a $5,000 grant. The funds were used to design, write content, layout, photography, and printing of 1,000 copies of a full color, six panel, tri-fold brochure. The brochure was distributed to elected officials and is distributed at numerous events attended by fire department personnel. They are extremely active at community activities. 6 new firefighters were recruited in the limited time it has been used as of this release.
Result: new firefighters

3. Alburtis Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Retention incentive request to equip a gym for firefighter use. All members were provided access.
The Alburtis Volunteer Fire Company, Lehigh County received a $5,000 grant. Their greatest concern was retaining existing members. When asked, members indicated a desire for exercise equipment in the station. The equipment was provided with access made available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, - at the convenience of the member. The fire company reports all current members were retained, but the action did not result in new members being recruited.
Result: new firefighters
0 new support members
However, ALL existing members were retained

4. Buchanan Valley Volunteer Fire Department
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Promotional materials
Post cards, magnets, cups,
Retention items for
performing activities, events, etc.
Hats, coffee mugs, cups, aprons, t-shirts
The Buchanan Valley Volunteer Fire Department in Orrtanna, Adams County, PA recruiting 10 new junior firefighters via a mailer and open house, the mailer also added 10 new members interested with fund raising and station activities. Items were provided existing members that incented them to stay and continue to contribute. NO members left during the past year.
Result: new firefighters
20 new support members

5. Burgettstown Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Recruitment materials
developed
Awards event conducted for recognition and retention of members
Morale and interest reportedly improved
The Burgettstown Volunteer Fire Company, Washington County, received a $5,000 grant. The fire company used the funds to first develop printed materials which aided the recruitment effort. Items were purchased as part of the recruitment effort which also served as retention incentives. An awards event was held for retention purposes to recognize and honor members for their hard work and commitment. This reportedly helped the morale of the current members and interested others in joining. Various awards and incentives were provided to members at the award event.
The Fire Company reports that four (4) firefighters were recruited as part of the campaign as well as one (1) support member.
Result: new firefighters
1 new support member

6. Chester County Fire Chiefs Association
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Revamped recruitment
website for county-wide
use
Promotional /Marketing
materials created and released
The Chester County Fire Chiefs Association received a $5,000 grant. Chester County has revamped their recruitment website Promotional items were also obtained to promote the program, marketing volunteer firefighting throughout the county at carnivals, fairs, community outings, etc. by the committee as well as the local fire companies. 12 new members were recruited county-wide, with recruitment efforts on-going using these promotional items.
Result: new firefighters county-wide

7. Delaware County Fireman’s Association
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Develop & release
county-wide
recruitment and retention website
The Delaware County Volunteer Fireman’s Association supports 67 fire companies in suburban Philadelphia. The funds were used to develop a county-wide recruitment and retention website, which went live in February The website includes information on why volunteer, ways to volunteer, frequently asked questions about training, age requirements, etc., information on the Delaware County Firemen’s Association and an online inquiry/interest section. In the first four months of operation, 3 new firefighters were recruited and 1 new support member was recruited.
Result: new firefighters
1 new support members

8. East Petersburg Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Grant used to support four fire companies.
Obtain pop-up tents, tables, multiple handout materials and logowear for use at events and to promote their “Why Not You?” program.
East Petersburg Volunteer Fire Company in Lancaster County was awarded a $5,000 grant on behalf of the East Petersburg, Mountville, Rohrerstown and West Hempfield Fire Companies, to supplement their ongoing recruitment and retention efforts. The companies used the fund to obtain pop-up tents, tables, multiple handout materials and logowear for use at events and to promote their “Why Not You?” program.
They report seven (7) new members were recruited and four (4) new support members were recruited.
Result: new firefighters
4 new support members

9. Franklin Borough Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Electronic billboard
advertising
Yard signs
The Franklin Borough Volunteer Fire Company in Cambria County received $5,000. The funds were used to initiate an electronic billboard advertising campaign and to obtain and distribute yard signs. The advertising campaign just began as the grant close out took effect and it was too early to determine any success.
Result: Recruiting/Advertising campaign just began at grant close out, not enough time to evaluate success

10. Greenwood Hose Company #1
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Develop and release a strategic direct mail effort
Banners to use in local businesses
Officers indicated the effort generated significant interest in a small community.
The Greenwood Hose Company #1 of Moosic PA, Lackawana County received $5,000 to develop and implement a strategic direct mail effort to reach close to 6,000 residents in Moosic Borough and edge portions of the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania; attempting to recruit for all types of positions. The organization purchased 3 display banners as well to be placed in local businesses on a rotating basis. The fire company reports that the effort generated significant interest in their small community. Two (2) new firefighters were recruited.
Result: new firefighters
0 new support members

11. Goodwill Fire Company of Trexlertown
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Website updated & enhanced for recruitment
Implemented numerous retention items
Firefighter of the month
Awards for various activities
Training awards
The Goodwill Fire Company of Trexlertown, Lehigh County received a $5,000 grant. The grant was used to first update and enhance its website to be more recruitment oriented for both firefighters and support members. Next they focused on retention including Firefighter of the month recognition, Awards for various activities performed and training awards
The fire company reports that the effort generated significant interest resulting in Eight (8) new firefighters being recruited as well as three new members to their ladies auxiliary support team.
Result: new firefighters
3 new support members (Ladies Auxiliary)

12. Hastings Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Designed, created, installed and used a recruitment and retention sign
Hosted a recruitment & retention awards thank you dinner, and outing.
The Hastings Volunteer Fire Company in Cambria County received $5,000. The company designed, created, installed and used a recruitment and retention sign for use in the community and held a recruitment & retention awards thank you dinner. 1 new firefighter, and 1 new support member joined and all current members were retained.
Result: new firefighters
1 new support members
All current members retained

13. Malvern Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Obtained and
developed
promotional
recruitment &
retention materials
The Malvern Volunteer Fire Company in Chester County received a $5,000 grant. The fire company
The company Obtained and developed promotional, recruitment & retention materials
The company also started an explorer program (joint venture with the Boy Scouts of America) to create interest and develop a “pipeline” of younger recruits that will hopefully develop into senior volunteer firefighters and EMS responders.
The fire company reports that 6 new firefighters and 12 new support members were obtained.
Result: new firefighters
12 new support members

14. Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Mail recruitment flyers to
every address in the district
Advertise on social media (paid ads)
Purchase recruitment signs
Provided incentives to existing members who displayed commitment and dedication to the organization
The Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department in Franklin, Venango County Pennsylvania received a $5,000 grant. The funds were used to:
- Mail recruitment flyers to every address in the district
- Advertise on social media (paid ads)
- Purchase recruitment signs, and
- Provided incentives to existing members who displayed commitment and dedication to the organization
The company reported it just started the recruitment effort and it is too early to determine new members.
Result: program just introduced
too early to determine

15. Swedesburg Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Obtained Special Events Tent
Obtained Digital Display Sign
Conducted public events
The Swedesburg Volunteer Fire Company, Montgomery County, received a $5,000 grant. The funds were used to obtain a special events tent for use at community events and a digital display sign for regular recruiting messaging. The recruiting/advertising campaign just began at grant close out and not enough time was available to evaluate success
Result: Recruiting/Advertising campaign just began at grant close out, not enough time to evaluate success

16. West Bradford Fireman’s Relief Association
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Obtained and used a tent at community functions and recruitment events.
T-shirts and sweatshirts were provided as retention recognition to members who assisted in recruitment activities.
The West Bradford Firemen’s Relief Association, Chester County, received $5,000. The money was used to purchase a tent for use at recruitment events and community functions. Retention recognition was provided through t-shirts and sweatshirts were used for members to advertise participation in the organization. Five new applicants were obtained as firefighters and one new support member was secured.
Result: new firefighters
1 new support members

17. 2017 FASP Recruitment and Retention Grant Program Summary
$75,000 committed in grant money 15 fire/EMS agencies & 83 members as follows: 46 firefighters, 0 live-in members 10 junior firefighters 0 fire police and 27 active/support members.
The FASP offered 15 grants in 2017 totaling $75,000.
The results were recruitments of a total of 94 new members statewide;
53 firefighters, 0 live-in members, 10 junior firefighters, 0 fire police and 31 active/support members.