Volunteerism: Where Suburbia Is the Question Mark

If all volunteer systems disappeared, would the gaps be filled with other models? That’s a million dollar question -- in some cases, literally.

"In rural and super-rural areas that aren't financially or operationally robust, volunteer systems are more likely to stand the test of time," Ray Barishansky, MPH, EMT-B, told me.

"But suburbia is the question mark."

It's no secret that the current state of volunteerism in EMS is "on the decline," and 30 minutes ago at the EMS Expo conference in Atlanta, Barishansky presented an engaging session called "Practical Tips for Recruitment and Retention." One of the attendees admitted that their agency is dangerously close to not being able to quickly respond to 9-1-1 calls, and Barishansky emphasized that it's time to realize that the way we've done things -- or not done things -- to recruit new members isn't going to work anymore.

Last month, Barishansky and I talked about why he wanted to give this presentation and how the future landscape of volunteerism might look.

"Lots of managers and supervisors who are in charge of volunteer agencies need applicable tips, tricks and best practices to bring volunteers in, keep volunteers volunteering and understand what others are doing out there."

Barishanksy, who was an active member of Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps in New Jersey for 18 years, says one of the best techniques for recruiting and retaining volunteers is being flexible on the amount of time managers are asking for.

"People are increasingly busy. Some have more than one job or their spouse has more than one job. We're also in a strange overall economic picture here in the U.S., and when you ask someone to volunteer 12, 18 or 24 hours a week, it may make them decide that they can't offer that much time."

That's why he advocates for managers to be accommodating. Whether it's asking for only two hours a day or two hours a night and being open to where that time is spent, flexibility is crucial.

Several of the tips he offered during today's presentation were specific ways to improve the application and orientation processes, but much of it focused on truly understanding the culture of your agency and ensuring it's one that's accepting of new members. He encouraged listeners to ask tough questions of their current members, leaving members and themselves.

His presentation wasn't only for volunteers, though. Half of his tips were applicable to any EMS leader because, as he told me earlier, it's all about understanding people. "Whether it's a volunteer or career system, it's about understanding how to motivate the people working with you and for you."

Whether this advice will help eliminate the question mark surrounding volunteerism remains to be seen, but the take-home message is no less significant: Be good to the folks around you.

In the next few months, we'll post several of Barishansky's tips on JEMS.com.