Turning a Mission Into Movement: Helping Fire Departments Ignite a New Era of Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment
- Tony Felice
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 3
At the Felice Agency, we do more than create marketing campaigns; we build movements. And nowhere is that more vital than in the fire service, where the need for volunteer firefighters has reached a critical tipping point.
Across the country, departments are struggling to recruit and retain volunteers. Budgets are tight. Expectations are high. Communities are growing, but the number of personnel on the ground isn’t keeping pace. And the stakes are high because when a department is short on volunteers, the whole community feels it.
That’s where we come in.
Since 2017, we’ve helped more than 300 volunteer and combination fire departments rethink what’s possible in recruitment. We’ve worked hand-in-hand with national and state associations, such as IAFC, VFCA, and NCAFC, to create programs that not only fill boots but also reignite purpose.
What makes our approach different?
We don’t just market. We listen. We lead with the heart of your mission, and we translate it into language your community can feel. We craft campaigns that are welcoming, compelling, and rooted in the unique identity of your department. And most importantly, we know how to reach the people you’re trying to reach because we’ve done it, again and again.
Whether it’s a brand refresh, a recruitment-centric website, custom videos, targeted digital advertising, or hands-on guidance for each department’s onboarding process, our work has one goal; to turn your mission into a movement.
And the results speak for themselves. Departments we’ve partnered with have exceeded recruitment goals year after year, strengthened their brands, and rekindled connections with the communities they serve.
We know what’s at stake and care deeply about the people behind the badge. Because this work isn’t just professional for us. It’s personal.
If your department is ready to recruit with purpose and power, we’re ready to stand with you.
Learn more about our approach and view our case studies at: Felice Academy: Fire Service Marketing, Recruitment, Retention and Leadership Training.
