Exit Interviews
Learn why exit interviews are very important to conduct in both the career and volunteer staffing components. Join Colby Cagle as he provides suggestions on how to conduct exit interviews, along with sample questions and when to conduct them. Exit interviews should be carefully planned and concentrate on the facts, not the emotions. A successful exit interview goes beyond the questions. Consider pre-exit surveys of existing members to provide you with insightful information to improve their experience and improve your department. Sample questions include:
“What did you like most about being a volunteer or career firefighter?”
“If you could make organizational changes, what would you suggest?”
“Were the expectations you were given during the recruiting process clearly explaining your roles and responsibilities?
“Were you provided with the training you needed to meet the expectations?”
“Were you treated with respect by your peers?”
“Were you treated fairly by your peers?”
He has authored over 150 articles in various publications. In 1996 he was selected by Fire Chief Magazine as Fire Chief of the Year in 1996. He has published 4 books and 7 photography books. He received the Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels Meritorious Service Award. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2022 he received the Jimmy Seavey Health and Wellness award presented by the NVFC. and the Presidents Award from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.
He was one of the founders of the Volunteer and Combination Officer Section (VCOS) and the National Fire Academy Alumni Association. He has contributed to several “ribbon reports” published by the VCOS. He was asked to be one of the editors for the original Lavender Ribbon Report published by the VCOS and NVFC in 2019. In 2021 he along with Brian McQueen spearheaded the update for the Lavender Ribbon Report. He is a principal author of the Yellow Ribbon Report and the updated updated Training Volunteers white paper published by the National Volunteer Fire Council and the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section.
