{"id":275,"date":"2016-05-13T15:11:08","date_gmt":"2016-05-13T15:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/emergency-medical-services\/?page_id=275"},"modified":"2025-09-12T13:41:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T17:41:53","slug":"recruitment-campaigns","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/emergency-medical-services\/recruitment-campaigns\/","title":{"rendered":"Recruitment Campaigns"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"311\" data-end=\"655\">Recruitment and retention are among the most pressing challenges facing EMS today. The Office of EMS encourages agencies to take a structured approach: first by planning strategically, then by implementing targeted outreach, and finally by evaluating results. The following resources can help agencies of all sizes strengthen their workforce.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"657\" data-end=\"1019\">Recruitment campaigns are essential to ensuring EMS agencies remain strong, visible, and sustainable. They help agencies tell their story, connect with the community, and encourage the next generation of EMS providers to get involved. Whether your agency is volunteer, career, or combination, a well-designed campaign can increase awareness and inspire action.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Sample Recruitment Campaigns<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Virginia agencies have developed a number of innovative recruitment campaigns that can serve as models for others:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2016\/05\/BecomeEMSOrg_Article.pdf\">BecomeEMS.org &#8211; Recruitment Campaign a Big Success<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.everydayherova.org\/\">Everyday Heroes<\/a>\u00a0&#8211; Virginia Fire Chief\u2019s Assoc. Volunteer Workforce Solutions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"735\" data-end=\"788\">Three Steps to a Successful Recruitment Campaign<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"791\" data-end=\"1015\">Building an EMS recruitment campaign works best when it follows a structured approach. Agencies can use these three steps \u2014 <strong data-start=\"915\" data-end=\"948\">Plan, Implement, and Evaluate<\/strong> \u2014 to create campaigns that are clear, consistent, and effective.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1705\" data-end=\"1895\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong data-start=\"1705\" data-end=\"1757\">Strategic Planning for EMS Recruitment Campaigns<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1888\" data-end=\"2187\">A successful recruitment campaign starts with a clear plan. Agencies should begin by identifying workforce needs, defining their target audience, and setting realistic goals before launching outreach efforts. Planning saves time and resources while ensuring campaigns align with agency priorities.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2189\" data-end=\"2274\"><strong data-start=\"2189\" data-end=\"2231\">Resources to support planning include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1897\" data-end=\"3278\">\n<li data-start=\"1897\" data-end=\"2125\">\n<p data-start=\"1899\" data-end=\"2125\"><strong data-start=\"1899\" data-end=\"2029\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iafc.org\/topics-and-tools\/resources\/resource\/retention-and-recruitment-kit?utm_source\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1901\" data-end=\"2027\">Retention and Recruitment Kit \u2014 IAFC<\/a><\/strong><br data-start=\"2029\" data-end=\"2032\" \/>Templates, letters, interview questions, tips, and forms adaptable for EMS\/Fire agencies.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2127\" data-end=\"2431\">\n<p data-start=\"2129\" data-end=\"2431\"><strong data-start=\"2129\" data-end=\"2326\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usfa.fema.gov\/downloads\/pdf\/publications\/retention-and-recruitment-for-volunteer-emergency-services.pdf?utm_source\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"2131\" data-end=\"2324\">Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services \u2014 FEMA\/USFA<\/a><\/strong><br data-start=\"2326\" data-end=\"2329\" \/>Strategies for assessing community needs, developing messaging, and launching recruitment efforts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2433\" data-end=\"2721\">\n<p data-start=\"2435\" data-end=\"2721\"><strong data-start=\"2435\" data-end=\"2600\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/naemt.org\/docs\/default-source\/2017-publication-docs\/recruitment-strategies-02-04-2022-1.pdf\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"2437\" data-end=\"2598\">Innovative Recruitment Strategies for EMS Agencies \u2014 NAEMT<\/a><\/strong><br data-start=\"2600\" data-end=\"2603\" \/>Case studies and ideas for targeting diverse populations, using social media, and applying data-driven approaches.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2723\" data-end=\"2999\">\n<p data-start=\"2725\" data-end=\"2999\"><strong data-start=\"2725\" data-end=\"2863\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ruralcenter.org\/resources\/ems-strategic-planning?utm_source\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"2727\" data-end=\"2861\">EMS Strategic Planning Toolkit \u2014 National Rural Health Resource Center<\/a><\/strong><br data-start=\"2863\" data-end=\"2866\" \/>Tools for readiness assessment, setting objectives, visioning, and leadership strategies (rural-focused, but broadly applicable).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3001\" data-end=\"3278\">\n<p data-start=\"3003\" data-end=\"3278\"><strong data-start=\"3003\" data-end=\"3146\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/emergency-medical-services\/ems-workforce-retention-tool-kit\/?utm_source\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"3005\" data-end=\"3144\">Virginia EMS Workforce Retention Toolkit \u2014 VDH<\/a><\/strong><br data-start=\"3146\" data-end=\"3149\" \/>Virginia-specific toolkit with strategies that overlap planning and retention, including workforce analysis and goal setting.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"189\" data-end=\"354\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong data-start=\"189\" data-end=\"221\">Implementation of a Campaign<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2316\" data-end=\"2658\">With a plan in place, agencies can focus on execution. Implementation means putting strategies into action, engaging the public, using both traditional and digital media, and working with community partners. Successful implementation also requires consistency and follow-through, so that campaigns build momentum and credibility over time.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2660\" data-end=\"2751\"><strong data-start=\"2660\" data-end=\"2708\">Resources to support implementation include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"356\" data-end=\"1592\">\n<li data-start=\"356\" data-end=\"665\">\n<p data-start=\"358\" data-end=\"665\"><strong data-start=\"358\" data-end=\"481\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nvfc.org\/safer-recruitment-and-retention-grant-tips\/?utm_source\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"360\" data-end=\"479\">Recruitment and Retention Planning &amp; Funding \u2014 NVFC<\/a><\/strong><br data-start=\"481\" data-end=\"484\" \/>Adaptable guidance for EMS agencies, including how to conduct needs assessments, apply for SAFER grants, and use national outreach platforms.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"667\" data-end=\"1046\">\n<p data-start=\"669\" data-end=\"1046\"><strong data-start=\"669\" data-end=\"872\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usfa.fema.gov\/downloads\/pdf\/publications\/retention-and-recruitment-for-volunteer-emergency-services.pdf?utm_source\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"870\">Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services \u2014 USFA\/NVFC (PDF)<\/a><\/strong><br data-start=\"872\" data-end=\"875\" \/>A joint FEMA\/NVFC publication with practical strategies and case examples that EMS agencies can apply to their recruitment efforts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1048\" data-end=\"1333\">\n<p data-start=\"1050\" data-end=\"1333\"><strong data-start=\"1050\" data-end=\"1177\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nvfc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Volunteer_Recruitment_Ideas.pdf?utm_source\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1052\" data-end=\"1175\">Volunteer Recruitment Ideas \u2014 NVFC (PDF)<\/a><\/strong><br data-start=\"1177\" data-end=\"1180\" \/>A collection of implementable outreach ideas (events, partnerships, media) that can be tailored to EMS campaigns.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1592\">\n<p data-start=\"1337\" data-end=\"1592\"><strong data-start=\"1337\" data-end=\"1435\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/everydayherova.org\/?utm_source\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1339\" data-end=\"1433\">Everyday Heroes \u2014 Virginia Volunteer Workforce Solutions (VFCA)<\/a><\/strong><br data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1438\" \/>Virginia\u2019s coordinated branding and outreach example; program is managed by VFCA and funded by a FEMA SAFER grant.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"676\" data-end=\"873\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong data-start=\"676\" data-end=\"715\">How &amp; Why to Evaluate Your Campaign<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2800\" data-end=\"3123\">Campaigns should not end once outreach materials are distributed. Evaluation helps agencies measure what worked, identify opportunities for improvement, and demonstrate success to stakeholders. Tracking outcomes such as applications, new memberships, or community engagement provides valuable feedback for future efforts.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3125\" data-end=\"3212\"><strong data-start=\"3125\" data-end=\"3169\">Resources to support evaluation include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"1259\">\n<li data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"1259\">\n<p data-start=\"877\" data-end=\"1259\"><strong data-start=\"877\" data-end=\"1035\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/evaluation\/php\/evaluation-framework\/index.html?utm_source\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"879\" data-end=\"1033\">CDC Program Evaluation Framework (2024) \u2014 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a><\/strong><br data-start=\"1035\" data-end=\"1038\" \/>Outlines six key steps in program evaluation, along with guiding standards (utility, feasibility, propriety, and accuracy). EMS agencies can apply these steps to assess recruitment campaigns and measure effectiveness.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3219\" data-end=\"3236\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Additional Support<\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3238\" data-end=\"3485\">Recruitment and retention are ongoing challenges that require both local innovation and statewide support. The Virginia Office of EMS is committed to helping agencies strengthen their workforce through tools, training, and shared best practices.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3487\" data-end=\"3636\">For additional guidance, sample materials, or to share your agency\u2019s recruitment success story, please contact the OEMS<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recruitment and retention are among the most pressing challenges facing EMS today. 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