Register Free - 2022 Maryland Volunteer Recruitment/Retention Bootcamp

REGISTER NOW | EVENT SCHEDULE | HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

This FREE two-day immersive and interactive event will focus on strategy and tactics for your volunteer recruitment and retention efforts with actionable education on a variety of topics you can take back to your department to have an immediate and sustainable impact.

Whether you’re an R&R Rookie or a Seasoned Recruiter you’ll come away with fresh approaches, different perspectives and new ideas presented by local and national subject matter experts focused on the success of the volunteer fire service.

When: Saturday, March 26 & Sunday, March 27 (Attend Both or Either Day)
Where: Branchville Volunteer Fire Company, Located at 4905 Branchville Rd, College Park, MD 20740
Who Should Attend: Recruitment & Retention Recruiters & Team Members, Department Leadership, Members Interested in Helping with R&R Efforts

The topics covered will include:

If You’re Not Focused on Recruitment & Retention – What Are You Focused On?
Retention Starts with Onboarding
Utilizing Junior Firefighters as Recruitment Force Multipliers
Recruiting for the Long Haul
Social Media Essentials Hands-on Workshop
Retention Strategies for the Vulnerable Volunteer
Recruiter’s Showcase
How Community Outreach and Education Affects Every Aspect of Your Organization
What Good Coaches Know: Getting the best out of our people through positive interaction
“Breaking the Internet: Using Social Media and Humor to Drive Change (and build an audience!)”, a Virtual Presentation by Fire Service Internet Sensation Jason Patton from Fire Department Chronicles
Schedule & More Coming Soon

Event Schedule

DAY 1 – SATURDAY, MARCH 26

START	END
0800	0830	Check-in and Registration
0830	0845	Kick-off with MSFA Executive Director Kate Loveless
0845	0915	A Volunteering Opportunity Like None Other Keynote by Tiger Schmittendorf: Volunteer Firefighter & VP of Recruitment & Retention-First Arriving
0915	1030	What Good Coaches Know…Getting the Best with Positive Interaction Verdoy NY Volunteer Fire Chief (Ret.) Jon Politis shares why people learn best when they don’t feel embarrassed or threatened. Most people promoted into company officer and chief roles attain it because of good technical skills. But, they are often clueless about positive human interactions. They often try to “coach people” using the toxic behaviors they were weaned on, usually to disastrous results.
1030	1045	Break
1045	1145	Social Media Essentials for Leveraging “SpaceBook, MyFace and that TicTac thing!” – Part 1 First Arriving’s Social Media Guru Kristina Greene and Recruitment Strategist Walter Campbell share pro tips for social media posting, management, and creativity.
1145	1230	Lunch, Recruiter Showcase & MarylandVolunteer.org Update
1215	1315	How Community Outreach and Education Affects Every Aspect of Your Organization Peters Township PA Fire Department Lt. Jordan Cramer offers a balcony view of how community outreach, planned and unplanned events, and public education programs have an effect on fire department community support, funding, and recruitment and retention, which results in increased public safety for all.
1315	1415	Recruiting for the Long Haul Southbury CT Chief (Ret.) Jason Decremer starts with an overview of the volunteer life cycle, moves into how to use Public Service Motivation (P.S.M.) to develop interview tactics and questions, and conclude-s with a focus on recruiting for the long term. Everything you do in R&R should be done to positively affect your department 20 years into the future.
1415	1430	Break & Recruiter Showcase
1430	1530	Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due: Utilizing Junior Firefighters as Recruitment Force Multipliers South Media PA Deputy Chief and High School Teacher Ellen Yarborough shares success stories and highlights the benefits and challenges of high school fire service youth programs.
1530	1700	Roundtable Discussion #1: Is there Recruitment without Retention? Dr. Candice McDonald will facilitate a group discussion on the interdependency between recruitment and retention and the need for a comprehensive and consistent effort.

DAY 2 – SUNDAY, MARCH 27

START	END
0800	0830	Check-in and Registration
0830	0900	Morning Kick-off
0900	0930	Breaking the Internet: A Virtual Presentation Using Social Media and Humor to Drive Change (and build an audience!) Virtual Presentation by Fire Service Internet Sensation Jason Patton from Fire Department Chronicles
0930	1030	Retention Strategies for the Vulnerable Volunteer Recruitment & Retention SME, Dr. Candice McDonald will help you learn how to better relate to the vulnerable volunteer, gain an understanding of barriers at-risk populations face, and examine strategies to engage often-overlooked socially vulnerable populations of people ready to serve.
1030	1045	Break & Recruiter Showcase
1045	1200	Social Media Essentials for Leveraging “SpaceBook, MyFace and that TicTac thing!” – Part 2
1200	1245	Lunch & Leadership Presentation: Shark Tank…Surviving The Perils of Leadership Chief (Ret.) Jon Politis shares how stepping up to a leadership position is a rare opportunity to make a difference and at the same time can be a risky career move. There are common pitfalls that can lead the unaware to a short tenure. Those that survive for the long term do so by being skilled in politics, timing, integrity, people, and management ability. This situational awareness briefing will cover the “hard-earned” lessons that may add years to your career.
1250	1400	Retention Starts with Onboarding Jason Decremer details best practices for onboarding new firefighters by taking participants through a series of strategies that will help ensure your department has a properly managed onboarding process that leads to long-term retention of firefighters.
1400	1500	Roundtable Discussion & Wrap-up Presenters and participants will team up to address burning issues and offer real-world solutions to volunteer recruitment and retention challenges.

Register Now - Free

Registration is FREE for any member of a Maryland or neighboring state volunteer fire, rescue, or EMS department involved with or interested in Recruitment & Retention at their organization, including leadership.

Registration includes two days of interactive workshops, lunch, and a networking event Saturday evening. You can attend both or individual days.

Hotel Accommodations

Book your stay for the Boot Camp at The Hotel at the University of Maryland with a special rate of $149/night plus taxes. Call today at 301-277-7777 or click the Book Now link below to book your accommodation.

MSFA is offering a one-night stay at a per diem rate for anyone attending from further than 75 miles as well as mileage for anyone driving more than 50 miles one way. Reimbursable with receipts at the conclusion of the event.

In order to secure the MSFA Boot Camp room rate, please only use the links on this page. Booking outside of the room block will not guarantee you the above-listed rates. The above rates are valid through March 1. After March 1, hotel rates will be made by the hotel based on availability. The Hotel at the University of Maryland is located at 7777 Baltimore Ave., College Park, MD 20740.

Hotel Registration Link

If you have any questions about the event, hotel/accommodations, are interested in speaking or being part of a panel, or issues with this form, please email MD@FirstArriving.com.

Virtual Presenters

Jason Patton
Social Media Influencer, Fire Department Chronicles

Featured Presenters

Jason Decremer, Ph.D.
Recruitment & Retention Coordinator – Southbury CT Volunteer Fire Department / Founder, Testing & Strategy Practice – MissionCIT LLC