June 13, 2019 / For Immediate Release

BRIDGEWATER, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg recently approved a Fire Recruitment and Retention Strategy that aims to reverse the decline in numbers of Fire Service volunteers in the region.

Fire and Emergency services run by volunteer departments are a vital part of the Municipality’s protective services and provide a crucial resource to communities. As a result, Council understands the value of a Fire Service that has active and committed volunteers.

In partnership with the Municipality’s Fire and Emergency Services Committee (FESC), Council identified a strong need for a Recruitment and Retention Strategy to address the challenges associated with attracting potential volunteers. This Recruitment and Retention Strategy is aimed at assisting fire departments with various marketing and communications efforts that will lead to increased volunteerism.

“Volunteers in the Fire Service, whether they be firefighters, auxiliary members or other volunteers, are vitally important to the provision of emergency services in the Municipality,” said Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “We are very grateful for the efforts of our Fire Service volunteers and acknowledge the urgent need to support them in ensuring their viability.”

The Municipality will invest up to $60,000 annually in recruitment and retention efforts that will include, but are not limited to:

• The development of specialized marketing materials for fire departments
• Community outreach through attendance of local events
• Recruitment toolkits and packages for departments
• Increased recognition efforts for those who are a part of the region’s Fire Service.

The Recruitment and Retention Strategy is available at www.modl.ca/FireServices

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For more information, please contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer
Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
Phone: (902) 541-1328