1. Recruitment and Retention Grant Program Initiative
Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania
2018
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. Adams Township Volunteer Fire Company
$ 3,500 Grant
Activity:
Develop and post recruitment signage
Recruitment - Conducted a
community open house
Retention – provided logo
wear for service performance
Adams Township Volunteer Fire Company, Cambria County, received $3,500.
Funds were used to create and post recruitment; and to procure various materials, supplies, and equipment for use at public events to recruit new members to the organization. In addition, members who achieved various performance levels were given logo wear.
The fire company reports 1 new firefighters and 1 new support member were recruited.
Result: new firefighter
1 new support firefighters

3. Alert Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Various marketing and
advertising items were obtained
Recruitment items placed in
high travelled locations in
the community
Alert Volunteer Fire Company, Downingtown, Chester County, received $5,000.
Funds were used to upgrade fire station signage to include recruitment messages; and to procure various materials, supplies, and equipment for use at public events to recruit new members to the organization.
The fire company reports 4 new firefighters and 2 new junior firefighters were recruited.
Result: new firefighters
2 new junior firefighters

4. Bendersville Community Fire Department
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Create and release new website
with retention focus
Use Fitness spotlight as a R&R plan
Marketing & advertising materials
The Bendersville Volunteer Fire Company, Adams County, received $5,000.
Funds were used to create and release a new website with a recruitment focus. Developing a recruitment and retention plan using fitness as a focal point and develop and print marketing and advertising materials
It is too early to determine success and results of the program
Result: The program is just implemented and too early for results

5. Blue Rock Regional Fire Department
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
vents to
recruit members
The Blue Rock Regional Fire Department in Lancaster County received $5,000.
The funds were used for a variety of recruiting and retention events, targeting junior members. The marketing campaign focused on local high school students in their facility. The yearbook, newspaper, and stadium advertising were methods to get the word out in their environment. This included events to attract juniors, providing them logo wear and items.
The fire company reports 7 new firefighters and 5 new support members were recruited. Support members consisted of members not involved with firefighting but instead involved with membership management, recruiting, retention, public education, office responsibilities, revision of new member paperwork and the application process including background research.
Result: new firefighters
5 new support members

6. Brookside Fire Company
$6,986 Grant
Activity:
Upgrade fire station
sign to include recruitment information
Supplies, equipment, materials
for use at public events to
recruit members
Brookside Volunteer Fire Company, Erie County, received $6,986.
Funds were used to upgrade fire station signage to include recruitment messages; and to procure various materials, supplies, and equipment for use at public events to recruit new members to the organization.
The fire company reports 3 new firefighters and 2 new junior firefighters were recruited.
Result: new firefighters
2 new junior firefighters

7. Buchanan Valley Volunteer Fire Department
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Develop and send bulk mailing to residents for recruitment,
conduct open house and
logo wear for use at events
Buchanan Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Adams County, received a $5,000
The fire department reports that the funds were used to develop and send bulk mailing to residents for recruitment, conduct an open house and provide logo wear for use at events
They report 7 new firefighters were recruited.
Result: new firefighters

8. Chester County Fire Chief’s Association
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Redesign of website
Create recruitment videos to be placed on the
homepage of the website.
Create handouts used during recruitment events.
The Chester County Fire Chief’s Association, Chester County, received $5,000.
Funds were used for redesign of the county’s website - – and included the creation of recruitment videos to be placed on the homepage of the website.
Handouts were created and used during recruitment events.
The fire company reports 10 new firefighters were recruited.
Result: new firefighters - countywide

9. Delaware County Volunteer Firemen’s Association
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Update website
Expand social media engagement
Work into various community events
Delaware County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, Delaware County, received $5,000.
Funds were used to Update website, expand social media engagement, and integrate their work into various community events
The fire company reports that the program is just begun and it is too early to determine results.
Result: The program is just begun and it is too
early to determine results.

10. East Petersburg Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Purchase recruitment materials to be used as recruitment tools throughout 2018 and 2019.
Purchased winter response bags for current members as retention incentives.
East Petersburg Volunteer Fire Company, Lancaster County, received a $5,000 grant.
The Fire Company purchased a variety of recruitment materials for use during the period. In addition, they procured a package of materials to serve as “winter response kits” to incent members to thank them for serving, continue to serve, and enhance their safety during cold-weather responses.
Fifty-one members continue to serve.
Result: firefighters continued service

11. Fairview Township Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Retention of 8 members who have improved skills/knowledge via training/certification
Result: firefighters
expanded
skills and knowledge
and continued service
Fairview Township Volunteer Fire Company, Cumberland County, received a $5,000 grant.
The Fire Company incented members to pursue training and certification to enhance the capabilities of the company, with retention incentives provided to those who completing enhancing their skills and knowledge.
Eight members took advantage of the program.

12. Garden Spot Fire Rescue
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Recruitment support items
Retention awards
and event
Garden Spot Fire Rescue, Lancaster County, received $5,000.
Funds were used to create and provide recruitment materials and activities, and provide a retention event with awards, ranking pins and a company gift.
The fire company reports 10 new firefighters and 6 new support members were recruited.
Result: new firefighters
6 new support members

13. Highland Park Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Develop, print, and mass mail recruitment
Posters and banners to be obtained and placed in high-profile locations for recruitment.
Logo wear for those involved in recruitment
Highland Park Volunteer Fire Company, Delaware County, received $5,000.
Funds were used to develop, print, and mass mail recruitment. Posters and banners were obtained and placed in high-profile locations for recruitment.
Logo wear was provided to those involved in recruitment.
The fire company reports the mailing has yet to occur, but they are anticipating 10 to 15 new firefighters to be recruited.
Result: to 15 new firefighters expected

14. King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Incentives provided to retain members, including logo wear and awards for service recognition
The King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company in Montgomery County received a $5,000 grant.
The fire company used the funds for various incentive programs to retain members including logo wear and awards for service recognition.
65 members continue to serve the organization.
Result: firefighters
continued service

15. Millbourne Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Recruitment materials developed
& provided at public events
Retention incentives included
event, logo wear, gifts for service
levels.
Millbourne Volunteer Fire Company, Delaware County, received $5,000.
Funds were used to develop and print promotional materials, attend public functions to reach out to community for recruiting members. Retention initiatives included an awards event, and providing not only awards but logo wear and other incentives to members achieving performance levels.
The fire company reports 2 new firefighters and 1 new support member were recruited.
Result: new firefighters
1 new support member

16. Reno Volunteer Fire Department
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Purchased signs to use
for recruiting members
The Reno Volunteer Fire Department, Venango County, received $5,000.
Funds were used to purchase two signs, one LED and one portable. They will be used to promote the fire company to recruit new members.
The fire company reports four new members, three will help with fundraising and one will be the fire company secretary. One new members joined to be a fire police officer.
Result: new members
- 3 for fundraising, 1 as secretary
1 new fire police

17. South Fayette Volunteer Fire Company
$5,000 Grant
Activity:
Purchased a tent with recruitment slogan printed on it for use at job fairs, community days and other public events.
Produced recruitment video
Develop and print recruitment brochures
The South Fayette Volunteer Fire Company, Allegheny County, received $5,000.
Funds were used to purchase a tent with the recruitment slogan printed on it for use at job fairs, community days and other public events. In addition, they produced recruitment video and developed and printed recruitment brochures.
The fire company reports it just obtained and implemented the program and it is too early to determine results.
Result: The program is just begun and it is too
early to determine results.

18. 2018 FASP Recruitment and Retention Grant Program Summary
$75,000 committed in grant money 16 fire/EMS agencies 58 firefighters, 2 junior firefighters 1 fire police and 16 active/support members. 124 continued service
The FASP offered 15 grants in totaling $75,000.
The results were recruitments of a total of 201 new or retained members statewide;
58 firefighters, 2 junior firefighters, 1 fire police and 16 active/support members; and 124 continued service where retention was the focus.