# Why Doesn't Traditional Recruiting Work Anymore?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/firefighter-nation-podcast-network-s-7114247/why-doesn-t-traditional-recruiting-work-anymore
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/firefighter-nation-podcast-network-s-7114247/why-doesn-t-traditional-recruiting-work-anymore.md
Podcast: [Firefighter Nation Podcast Network’s](https://stenobird.com/podcast/firefighter-nation-podcast-network-s-7114247)
Published: 2026-07-30T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://firefighternationpodcastnetwork.podbean.com/e/why-doesnt-traditional-recruiting-work-anymore/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/tnig79k5cyvsecu9/FFN_-_20260730_-_Beyond_the_Headlinesbhy4n.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/firefighter-nation-podcast-network-s-7114247/episodes/why-doesn-t-traditional-recruiting-work-anymore
Duration seconds: 2114

## Resource

On this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Chris Marella welcomes Michael Elhihi, author of Beyond the Algorithm: Firefighter Recruitment in the Age of AI to assess the reasons why traditional firefighter recruiting no longer covers the talent the service needs. They acknowledge practical steps: market the firehouse culture to mid-career candidates, shorten and centralize onboarding with in-house academies, and treat company officers as culture builders. The conversation covers the effectiveness of recruiting families and spouses and using social media to showcase everyday life. Link to Michael Elhihi’s article, Beyond the Algorithm: Firefighter Recruitment in the Age of AI: firefighternation.com/fire-leadership/fire-service-recruitment/beyond-the-algorithm-firefighter-recruitment-in-the-age-of-ai/

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## Transcript

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