9 Feb 2022

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce that it will host its second annual in-person Recruitment and Retention (R&R) Experience on September 16 and 17, 2022, in Mesa, Arizona, USA.

The NVFC is now accepting proposals from qualified instructors and speakers for presentations to educate first responders about critical volunteer staffing issues in the fire and emergency services. The deadline to submit proposals is March 1, 2022.

2022 NVFC Recruitment and Retention

The R&R Experience theme is 'A Forum for the Future'. The event is an interactive educational and networking conference that brings together fire and EMS personnel from across the country, to participate in valuable classroom training and idea exchange, relating to recruitment and retention issues in the volunteer emergency services.

Sessions will be offered in two lengths: 1.5 hours and 3 hours.

Examples of relevant presentation topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Working inter-generationally
  • Work-life-volunteer balance
  • Marketing your department
  • Finding funding
  • Reputation management
  • Department culture
  • Youth development
  • Supporting your volunteers
  • Recruitment tips and tricks
  • Forming community partnerships
  • Working with local government

Peer review team to evaluate all presentation proposals

Applications must be submitted by March 1, 2022, on the conference page of NVFC’s official website. A peer review team will evaluate all presentation proposals. Selections will be made based on quality, relevance, focus, practical application, and the presenter’s experience and credentials. Selected presenters will be notified by March 31, 2022.

The NVFC will cover travel expenses and provide a stipend for selected presenters. Teaching teams are welcome to apply, but only one instructor per course can receive travel reimbursement/stipend. Please note, while organizations and companies are welcome to apply to share their subject matter expertise, all courses must be educational in nature.