Fire & EMS Volunteer Recruitment Services for Pennsylvania Departments
Agency 102 partners with volunteer fire and EMS departments across Pennsylvania to attract, engage, and retain qualified volunteers through data-driven recruitment marketing.
Our Approach to Fire Department Volunteer Recruitment
How do we attract more volunteer firefighters and EMTs in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, where many departments serve rural, suburban, and borough-based communities, recruitment requires messaging that reflects local service models and community expectations.
You can’t rely on outdated flyers or hope that “just posting on Facebook” gets you results. We help departments build a recruitment pipeline that’s proactive, strategic, and built to last.
Our multi-channel recruitment strategies include:
- Targeted content strategy (social media, email, web, advertising)
- Compelling recruitment content (video, flyers, posters, social graphics)
- Community event marketing (open houses, career fairs, ride-alongs)
- Strategic partnerships with schools, colleges, and civic groups
We start by understanding your department’s needs, history, and community demographics. From there, we build customized fire department volunteer recruitment marketing campaigns that reach the right people with the right message.
The Current Volunteer Landscape in PA: Why Fire Advertising Matters Now
12%
decrease in the number of volunteer firefighters in the last five years
90%
Of Pennsylvania’s 2,462 fire companies are volunteer companies.
68%
Of Leadership in volunteer fire and EMS departments face retention issues
79%
Of the population doesn’t know if local departments need volunteers
SErvices Tailored to meet the operational realities and recruitment goals of Pennsylvania fire and EMS departments
Marketing Solutions for First Responders and Public Safety:
- Community education, public safety, and recruitment campaigns
- Local event and career fair support
- On-site brand video and photoshoots
- Social media management
- Email newsletters and e-blasts
- Website optimization for increased local search visibility
- Paid digital and traditional fire advertising
Fire Departments We Work With
“The engagement has led to an increase in social media following, brand awareness, and recruitment numbers. Agency 102 is responsive, available, and communicative through emails, phone calls, and biweekly virtual meetings. They stand out for their expertise and collaborative approach.”
Dan HenningVP of Human Resources, Kensington Volunteer Fire Department
Public Safety and Volunteer Recruitment Success Stories
While every department is different, the recruitment challenges faced by Maryland and Virginia departments closely mirror those across Pennsylvania—making these strategies highly transferable.
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Kensington Volunteer Fire Department: Recruiting Volunteers With A Robust, Community-Focused Marketing Strategy
Agency 102 partnered with Kensington Volunteer Fire Department (KVFD) to boost volunteer recruitment through a dynamic marketing strategy that includes website optimization, social media campaigns, and impactful video content. -
Strengthening Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department’s EMS Services Marketing and Community Outreach
From creating an anniversary logo to driving volunteer recruitment, we teamed up with the FCVFD to launch a modern EMS marketing strategy—strengthening their community outreach, digital presence, and brand identity.
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Featured Blog
Marketing Services for Volunteer Emergency Services: Answers from Our Fire & EMS Specialists
Marketing for Fire and EMS departments comes with a unique set of
Frequently asked questions
Fire & EMS Volunteer Recruitment Marketing
What recruitment marketing services do you offer for fire and EMS departments in Pennsylvania?
We offer fire department recruitment marketing strategy, paid ad campaigns, landing pages, social graphics, video production, event promotion, and more, all built to attract quality recruits and raise awareness.
Do you only work with departments that have grant funding?
Nope. While we’re experienced with SAFER-funded work, we also help departments using internal budgets, donations, or regional funding.
Do you work with fire and EMS departments across Pennsylvania, or only locally?
We work with departments across Pennsylvania and throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. While our team is based in Maryland, our recruitment strategies are designed to be effective across state lines and tailored to local community dynamics.
Can you help us design recruitment materials?
Yes—everything from social content and print materials to video and digital ads. We make sure your department looks professional and approachable.
How long does it take to launch a recruitment campaign?
Our onboarding process takes about 30 days. We interview stakeholders, audit your digital presence, and design your campaign assets. Most clients go live within 60 days.
How do you measure the success of volunteer recruitment campaigns?
We track leads, applications, click-through rates, and more, then review performance with you every month so you know what’s working and where we’re optimizing.
Can you support multi-department or county-wide recruitment efforts?
Yes. We can support regional recruitment initiatives, including multi-department, county-wide, and shared-services campaigns. These efforts focus on consistent messaging while still allowing individual departments to maintain their identity.
Free Download
Volunteer Recruitment Guide
Find out what’s driving successful volunteer recruitment and how you can build a stronger team. Our Volunteer Recruitment Guide breaks down the current state of recruitment, reveals who’s most likely to step up, and shows you how to reach them.