The pandemic has had enormous impacts, especially in terms of employment. Not only has there been a massive shift toward remote work, but the “great resignation” has left many employers scrambling to fill positions—and certain industries have taken a bigger hit than others. Public agencies were among those struck the hardest, with employment in state governments dropping by 4.4% at the start of the pandemic.

A recent study found that prison and jail staff are at significantly increased risk of contracting COVID-19 compared to the general public. With all the time prison staff spend around prisoners and members of the public who come in for visitation, this number is not surprising. However, it’s had a major impact on the availability of staff for prisons and the recruitment of new team members. Because of this, correctional officers are overworked, which poses a threat to public safety. In this blog, we explore ways correctional leaders can increase staffing and relieve the burden on their officers.

Although professional standards require at least 30 firefighters to battle the blaze that erupted in a 100-unit apartment building in Illinois, only five firefighters were available to respond. This is just one example of the impact of firefighter shortages that affect communities across the US. The fire service is a demanding and challenging profession that requires a high level of commitment and dedication. Fire departments must be proactive in their efforts to recruit and retain firefighters.  We've gathered a few tips below from fire chiefs and IAFC for managing recruitment, retention, and volunteer firefighters.