NVFC Roundtable Talk - Crisis at the Crossroads: Addressing EMS Recruitment and Retention in Volunte

Volunteer fire and EMS departments are facing a growing crisis. Many departments struggle to recruit and retain members while call volumes – especially for medical emergencies – continue to increase. This NVFC Roundtable Talk will bring together fire and EMS leaders to explore the key challenges driving EMS recruitment and retention struggles in volunteer departments, including the time and financial demands of training and recertification, work-life balance, economic pressures, leadership gaps, and the disconnect between community expectations and the realities of volunteering. Participants will also discuss practical strategies and best practices to help departments attract new members and retain experienced ones for the long term.