Modern Fire Station Design: A Practical Investment in Recruitment and Retention
Volunteer fire departments are under pressure. Across the country, fewer people are signing up to serve, and many who do are leaving sooner than expected. This presents a major challenge for towns that rely on volunteers to keep their communities safe. With volunteers making up roughly 70% of the fire service, finding ways to attract and retain personnel is not optional—it’s essential.
Why Recruitment is So Difficult
There’s no single reason why recruitment is down, but several clear factors are making it harder:
- Many people now work multiple jobs or have long commutes.
- Volunteer firefighters face growing training and certification demands.
- The average age of firefighters is climbing, with fewer young recruits coming in.
- Personal and family responsibilities often leave little time for volunteer commitments.
- In many departments, incentives and support don’t match the time and effort required.
These problems aren’t just internal. When departments can’t staff their ranks, the whole community feels the impact—and may eventually bear the cost of converting to a fully paid department.
A Frequently Overlooked Factor: The Station Itself
Fire departments often focus on gear, training, and leadership when trying to solve staffing problems, but one area gets far less attention: the station environment.
The station isn’t just where firefighters respond from—it’s where they spend hours waiting, training, cleaning up, and decompressing. If the building is cramped, outdated, or uncomfortable, it can be one more reason someone decides to leave—or not join at all.
On the other hand, a well-designed station shows members they’re valued. It provides rest, safety, and a space to work and train efficiently.
What Makes a Fire Station Work Better for Recruitment and Retention
Not every department can build a new facility, but meaningful upgrades can often be made in phases. Here are a few areas that matter most:
1. Rest and Recovery Spaces
Quality, durable furniture and private or semi-private bunking areas help firefighters rest between calls. Departments that prioritize sleep and downtime tend to see higher morale and lower burnout.
2. Training and Work Areas
A station that supports hands-on and classroom training signals a commitment to firefighter development. Simple changes—like proper tables, seating, and storage—make a difference.
3. Health and Safety Features
Spaces that separate clean and dirty gear, provide ventilation, and support decontamination protect members’ health. Adding inclusive facilities and thoughtful layouts also ensures everyone feels welcome.
4. Room for Community Connection
Meeting spaces or public areas can help the department stay visible and engaged with residents, making recruitment a shared effort rather than a closed-door challenge.
The Cost of Waiting
Some towns delay improving facilities because of budget constraints. But waiting often leads to higher costs later. When volunteer departments can no longer staff adequately, many communities go through the same costly steps: hiring paid leadership, merging departments, or transitioning to career staffing.
These changes typically require large facility upgrades to accommodate full-time shifts—something that could have been phased in over time at a lower cost.
A Smarter Way Forward
Departments looking to stay volunteer-driven longer—or just wanting to support their people better—don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Small, well-planned changes can make a noticeable difference. Some steps include:
- Assessing the current station layout and furnishings honestly
- Identifying key improvements that directly affect comfort and safety
- Choosing purpose-built, durable furniture that reflects the demands of the job
- Making inclusive design a priority from the start
- Planning updates that leave room for future growth
The Takeaway
Departments will always need to invest in people, gear, and training. But the station itself plays a bigger role in that equation than it often gets credit for. When firefighters feel comfortable, safe, and respected in their environment, they’re more likely to stay—and more likely to encourage others to join.
That’s not just a quality-of-life improvement. It’s a practical, long-term strategy for keeping departments staffed and communities protected.