Agile Transformation in der Freiwilligen Feuerwehr

: Gewinnung und Bindung junger Mitglieder im Zeitalter des Wandels durch Agilität

Abstract

In an era characterized by constant change, the ability to be agile is becoming an indispensable success factor not only for companies, but also for associations and public organizations such as volunteer fire departments. Agility makes it possible to react flexibly to changes and respond quickly to new requirements. At the same time, the recruitment and retention of volunteer members for the volunteer fire department is of crucial importance in this context in order to enrich the discussion about the future of the fire department and make the volunteer fire department fit for the challenges of the future. Against this background, this master's thesis examines the link between agility and the recruitment and retention of volunteer members - particularly in the context of employer branding. The aim is to identify ways in which the volunteer fire department can overcome challenges, effectively protect and strengthen the community and ensure an attractive organization. The basis for this is initially the development of a theoretical foundation and a concept of a possible agile volunteer fire department based on this. This is followed by empirical, quantitative data collection in the form of an online survey of 16- to 26-year-old volunteer firefighters in the Urfahr-Umgebung district. These theoretical and empirical findings form the basis for deriving recommendations for action aimed at making the volunteer fire department more agile and promoting the recruitment and retention of young members. The results show that agile approaches in organizations can set aside rigid organizational structures, increase the participation of the individual and achieve an organizational culture based on transparency, trust and openness. In addition, this can contribute the motivation of volunteer members, which in turn enriches the recruitment and retention of members to the volunteer fire department.

Date of Award	May 2024
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Irmtraud Ehrenmüller (Supervisor)