Can Station Design Enhance Recruitment and Retention?

I recently visited the City of Newport, MN, government complex currently under construction. It will house the city administration, police, and fire departments when completed. It is a fantastic place sitting on a corner lot that will become the focus of the community. It is two stories tall with beautiful design features and functional areas; some of them shared. While walking through the building, I started to get excited at the recruitment opportunities for this community and how the building will increase employee motivation, improve workflow productivity, and increase community pride. There are bright colors to enhance the mood, modern mechanical to exchange the air, power-saving features, and private areas for those sharing meaningful discussions or needing some time away from distractions and interruptions. Over the large drive-through bays, a Maltese Cross is proudly displayed and the foundation for a manicured landscape that will bring a calming element to the building. There are separate rooms that will minimize the risks of cancer, large meeting areas, and a training facility built inside the hose tower. They even have a brass fire pole to be used by those on the second floor during an emergency. 

When designing a new station, or improving an older one, let me offer you some things to consider that will enhance recruitment and encourage retention. Some of the following ideas could be implemented quickly, while others may inspire discussion as they are new and advanced. Today, we want to manage our recruitment plan by understanding the generational differences and how they influence or discourage involvement. 

1. Recruitment Pods (RP)™ - The pandemic of 2020 changed how our workforce operates. Employees were stuck at home, and corporations had to find new ways to continue their operation. At the same time, households were being turned into workspaces with improved internet connections, office equipment, and quiet areas. Working from home requires a lot of discipline and privacy to ensure the kids and animals are not disrupting your million-dollar deal while on a call. Because so many people continue to work from home, why not offer workstations for your community to use? Building workstations that allow free internet, desk space, and power is an easy way to attract residents to the fire station. In return, they will have to become a firefighter and respond to calls during their assigned hours in the office area. If John is assigned from 5 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., and Stacy comes in afterward, you have coverage for most of the day. Add a few more pod areas, and you have an entire crew. Turn your open space into a benefit!

2. Technology Areas – To encourage more visits to the fire station, add technology areas that can be used for enjoyment and work. Gaming areas will attract newer generations as they can play with people worldwide or watch a few sitcoms on Netflix. Connectivity to printers and other Internet of Things (IoT) to help manage the home and work while at the station can provide convenient features some firefighters do not have at home. Providing access to a large projection screen with high definition and surround sound to watch sports events or hold a family movie night is always popular. Add phone charging stations to the lockers and common areas for convenience. Overall, bringing yourself up with the times will encourage people to stay at the fire station longer.

3. Emotional Support Areas (EOA) – Sometimes, we all need a private area to rest our minds and bodies. Emotional Support Areas allow your firefighters to unwind by using a quiet calm place to relax. The room(s) could have "in-use" displays and calming music. These areas are easy to build and help firefighters calm down before heading home with all that baggage on their minds. 

4. Green Space Areas – Green space allows nature to help calm the mood and beautify the area reducing stress. You can easily do this using potted plants or more permanent planting around the patio or station. Place a bench outside for people to sit on and immerse themselves in the environment. 

5. Vehicle Service Areas – Many fire departments allow their firefighters to use the fire bay to wash their vehicles. As a chief, I have always felt this is one of the best benefits we had to offer and was never against supplying the soap and tools to put them inside the fire station. Of course, there must be rules, but most follow them and appreciate the benefit. Want to go even further? Consider building carports in the lot so firefighters have a safe place for their vehicle when they respond. When there is a storm and we expect them to respond, proving protection for their vehicle is a kind gesture, and guarantees they can come back. If their vehicle is damaged during the storm, or the snow is so high they can not drive, you lost a responder. Add solar panels to those carports and you provide power to the fire station, saving dollars. As electric vehicle become more prevalent, these areas can provide the charging equipment needed while they are managing local emergencies.
6. On-Premises Sleeping Rooms – If you want to improve your response time significantly, build sleeping rooms into your fire station. With affordable housing creating many challenges for firefighters across the U.S., allowing them to sleep at the fire station and use shared areas is the future. Why not offer a room for rent in return for firefighter talent? There are departments within Minnesota already doing this. 

My tour of modern-day fire stations has helped me understand how station design can positively impact recruitment and retention. You will need an architect who understands the fire service and how you operate. No two fire departments are precisely alike, so you should start from scratch to determine your needs. In the past it was common to see fire stations look the same. Today, it is important to consider how your fire station will function before you consider its design. Recruitment and retention require a plan, and part of that plan should include thoughts about what you can do to encourage your responders to hang out and enjoy their time at the fire station. 

I will continue to write about new features added to fire stations that can positively impact your recruitment and retention effort. Until then, be safe and take care of one another.