A look at three of the motivational sources for firefighters

Volunteer Firefighter Alliance cannot emphasize enough the importance of a volunteer firefighter’s motivation in accomplishing their job. In fact, the significance of motivation stretches back before people even join their respective departments.

The fact is recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters has posed a considerable challenge to the fire service over the past several decades. Researchers and fire service leaders have worked tirelessly to understand better what’s causing the decline in the number of volunteer firefighters and to look for ways to inspire more volunteers to join.

To understand volunteer firefighters better, Volunteer Firefighter Alliance lists three major motivational sources for volunteer firefighters.

Meaningful service

The foremost source of motivation for volunteers not just in firefighting but in any field is meaningful service. For volunteer firefighters, however, their service includes not only responding to emergency calls but participating in community-oriented events such as chili-dinner fundraisers, public education events at schools, and more.

Sense of fulfillment

Intertwined with meaningful service is the sense of fulfillment that volunteer firefighters feel. For most of these individuals, this feeling is more valuable than money. However, Volunteer Firefighter Alliance mentions that this is the tricky part because when the feeling is gone, so is the love for what they do.

Sense of belonging

Many volunteer firefighters thrive on the sense of belonging they feel with other volunteer firefighters in the firehouse. This network of support, education, and enjoyment, often referred to as the brotherhood, is rarely experienced in other professions, Volunteer Firefighter Alliance adds.

Volunteer Firefighter Alliance helps local Volunteer Fire Departments across the United States through its various programs. For related blogs, visit this page.