The Mission of the Recruitment & Retention Committee is to provide information, education, and recommendations to the Washington Fire Chiefs (WFC) and their member agencies to improve fire department volunteer recruitment & retention efforts.

The Committee’s Vision is to capture successful practices that other agencies can use. The Vision is larger than Recruitment and Retention. Success is dependent on the cultural alignment of values that the Community, the Department, and the Volunteers bring together. There are model successes within Washington State. These departments do not have volunteer shortages. The Committee will study the successful programs and identify the common themes that can assist other departments to improve their Volunteer Retention and Recruitment.

• The Recruitment & Retention Committee strives to add value and integrity to do the right thing for the right reasons.
• The Recruitment & Retention Committee represents the volunteer fire service in a professional manner. Likewise, we also expect professionalism from volunteers.
• The Recruitment & Retention Committee always recognizes and acknowledges the contributions and further the success made by the volunteers.
• The Recruitment & Retention Committee projects and instills a sense of pride and identity within the Washington Fire Chiefs.
• The Recruitment & Retention Committee is readily available.
• The Recruitment & Retention Committee excels in all that we do.

• Assist the departments in Washington to retain the Volunteer Firefighters/Responders they currently have.

• Assist the departments in Washington to Recruit Volunteer Firefighters/Responders so their department can respond with an effective firefighting force.
• Provide quality recruitment & retention educational tools and practices to the membership.
• Provide the WFC Legislative Committee with issues that will support Volunteerism in Washington.
• Find, Support, and Recommend benefits for Volunteer Firefighters/Responders.
• Build Value in participation in the Recruitment & Retention Committee for sustaining Volunteerism.
• Provide information and communication to the WFC Board to keep them aware of Volunteer issues.
• Ensure that the recruitment & retention committee provides the functions and services needed and desired by the WFC Board.
• Encourage communications and information sharing, recruitment & retention topics, and issues with other Statewide fire service organizations.

Chair
Chelan County FD 5