Suggestions Helpful

[Fireman Ry]

My department just recently went through a major change in the higher ups. Because of this change, the "clique" that used to always be around, has pretty much left. Now there are about 5 active guys that run most of the calls. You look at the reports and it is usually the same names on all of them. And this is a station that runs about 600+ calls a year. Anyone that has ideas to push for recruitment, suggestions are very welcome.

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Ryan B.

[Chief Taylor]

We have a similar situation, mostly the same 5-8 people are doing 90% of the calls.
We have advertisments out for locals and non-resident responders alike. We keep about 26-30 volunteers on staff.

I am still working on what works best out there. Money works for a little while, but not always.

[Tiger]

I suggest two different approaches depending on your need for quantity or quality. They can stand alone or be used in conjunction with each other. Sometimes you need to get quantity to get quality.

The first I call a shotgun approach - typically using multiple forms of media to create the awareness that you have a need.

The second is what I call a target shooting approach. Make a "hit list" of people in your community that you want to belong to your organization and then "make the hit" on them. Invite them in or go to where they are and "sell" your organization and your needs to them. Although, you'll probably have best results when you can bring them into your environment - if it's the right environment.

That's a start. If you want more ideas, check out www.erie.gov (http://www.erie.gov) and go to the volunteering section or visit www.onscenemarketing.com (http://www.onscenemarketing.com) and click on OnScene University.

Hope this helps.

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Tiger [Earl] Schmittendorf
Fire Training Coordinator/Recruiter
Erie County Division of Fire Safety
716/681-7111
FAX/681-3645
schmitte@bflo.co.erie.ny.us
Tiger Schmittendorf
tiger@onscenemarketing.com
OnScene Marketing Services
"Mutual Aid for Marketing Your Fire Department"
www.onscenemarketing.com
716.549.2885