This presentation will provide the audience with an insight into the benefits of creating an internship program. We will discuss who the stakeholders are to engage for the creation of the program and how they play a role in the success of the program. These stakeholders include local, county, and state resources that have a vital impact to these programs. The presentation will discuss how each of these stakeholders will assist with the creation and long-term success of an internship program. The presentation will also discuss the hiring process, transitioning from high school to the fire service, and integrating interns into a department with a mixed staffing model. This presentation looks at the daily operations, long-term planning, and career road-mapping of having an internship program. This presentation will also demonstrate how these types of programs can be a significant benefit to staffing and efforts for recruitment and retention.
