08/30/2026
In 2022, we asked Wisconsin fire departments to tell us what they were experiencing with firefighter recruitment. 293 departments responded.
The results were difficult to ignore:
• 79% were having difficulty finding and hiring firefighters.
• 79% expected to need six or more firefighters within the next five years.
• 42% expected to need more than 10.
• 69% had never received training on how to properly market, select and hire firefighters.
• 90% believed Wisconsin needed a statewide firefighter recruitment campaign.
The Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association used this research to help document the need for a coordinated statewide approach. That work helped lead to approximately $1.5 million in FEMA SAFER grant funding** to assist with firefighter recruitment in Wisconsin.
It is also helping us build something Wisconsin has never had before: a statewide website dedicated to helping people learn what it takes to become a firefighter and connect with departments looking for new members. That website will debut soon.
Now we need to use these resources.
Wisconsin fire departments that rely on volunteers have access to FREE PPE and health screening for eligible firefighters through the end of 2027, along with statewide recruitment resources designed to help departments attract the next generation of firefighters.
We are also bringing **Modern Day Recruiter** classes to departments across Wisconsin, providing practical tools and new approaches to improve local recruitment and retention efforts. Departments are already putting these strategies to work.
The data told us there was a problem. The funding gives us an opportunity to do something about it.
If you are a fire chief, city or village manager/administrator, elected official, or community leader, please review the attached Wisconsin Firefighter Workforce Snapshot and share it with your department and governing body.
Learn more about the program by visiting the Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association website at www.wsfca.com and selecting the SAFER Grant tab.
