BOX ELDER, S.D. – The City of Box Elder is working to help address ongoing staffing shortages among emergency service agencies by hosting its first-ever First Responder Career Fair.
The event brought together law enforcement, fire, and emergency service agencies from across the Black Hills to recruit both career and volunteer responders. Officials say many rural communities in the region depend heavily on volunteers to maintain emergency coverage, making recruitment a growing priority.
City of Box Elder Public Information Officer Rebecca Bader said the fair demonstrated a united effort among agencies to attract candidates who want to serve their communities and help meet the region’s public safety needs.
Recruiters emphasized that a commitment to helping others is one of the most important qualities they look for in potential first responders. Agencies say finding qualified applicants remains a challenge both locally and nationwide.
Fire officials noted that staffing shortages can directly affect emergency response efforts. In two recent structure fires, crews reported having only three firefighters on scene initially, well below national recommendations for a typical residential fire response.
Organizers say the career fair was designed not only to fill current openings but also to encourage community members to explore careers and volunteer opportunities in public safety. They add that agencies across the Black Hills continue to welcome individuals interested in serving as firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs, and other emergency responders.
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