NYS: VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION TASK FORCE: FINAL REPORT
The Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Task Force (Task Force) was created by Chapter 258 of the Laws of 2020 and amended by Chapter 7 of the Laws of 2021 and Chapter 335 of the Laws of 2022, for the purpose of making recommendations to improve volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention. The Task Force was charged with evaluating factors affecting the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and developing a comprehensive set of recommendations to improve recruitment and retention.
Conclusion (extracted from full report)
"The Task Force believes more can and must be done to promote the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters in New York State. For many communities the volunteer model may remain the only affordable, practical means of providing fire protection. Analysis of the level of service that is needed and an evaluation of the best options available to provide that service can clarify the amount and type of staffing required and assure available personnel are being utilized efficiently and effectively.
Fire departments are relied upon for more than fire protection and suppression to include specialized services such as water rescue, hazardous materials response, inspection duties, terrorist incidents, and emergency medical services. As fire departments assumed these responsibilities, demands for training, response hours, and stresses on the volunteer fire service substantially increased. Appropriate and adequate resourcing to address those needs should be sought and supported.
Through the work of the Task Force, it became evident that there is no single, “one size fits all” solution that will work for all communities. Community demographics such as employment types and availability, population age and makeup, population density, tax base, and other local factors define what particular incentives may elicit and sustain increased numbers of volunteers from a given community.
Many of the measures recommended within this report require or would benefit from increased state and local investment and therefore will be subject to available budget appropriations. Others may be addressed by re-aligning the investment or dedication of time and resources currently available to best provide for effective and improved recruitment and retention in a given community or partnering with stakeholders to develop cooperative partnerships to do so. Regardless of the mechanism or means, in order to continue to safely and effectively protect the communities it serves, the volunteer fire service of New York State must continue to evolve to address its staffing challenges.
The Task Force members remain committed to working with State and local leaders to ensure the success and sustainability of New York State’s fire service."
NYS OFPC Information Bulletin (January 2023)
The full report contains a comprehensive set of recommendations to improve recruitment and retention of NYS Volunteer Firefighters and can be viewed, printed or downloaded by clicking the link below.
Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Task Force Final Report: December 2022
Direct link to DHSES OFPC Link
