Igniting Firefighter Retention

Dr. Candice McDonald has served her community for two decades as a firefighter, EMS chief, CE instructor, and inspector. She is the president of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association (CVVFA) and currently works for the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) as the deputy CEO. She is an adjunct professor for Eastern Gateway Community College and the University of Arkansas. Before joining the NVFC, she worked for NASA in the Office of Protective Services as a special agent and physical security specialist. Before working at NASA, she was the program coordinator for the Research Center for Educational Technology at Kent State University. Before joining the Kent State family, she spent six years working for the State of Ohio in marketing. Before that, she spent ten years working as a mental health case manager and drug and alcohol counselor. She holds a doctorate in business administration specializing in homeland security, a master’s in organizational leadership, a bachelor’s in organizational management, and an associate’s in health and human services. McDonald also has a certification in project management from Kent State University and is a NASA Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

John M. Buckman III served as a German Township Fire Chief managing volunteers for 35 years. He is most proud of the title “pawpaw.” Leslie his wife has spent 29 years together. He currently serves as Education Coordinator for the International Association of Fire Chief Volunteer and Combination Officers Section. He is the Director of Government and Regional Outreach for IamResponding. He served as the Indiana Fire Academy Director for 15 years. He served as President of the International Association of Fire Chief in 2001-2002.

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.