Walter Campbell has joined First Arriving as a Public Safety Recruitment Specialist with over a decade of experience driving innovative fire and military recruitment and retention strategies.
The past three years, Campbell served as the recruiter and volunteer coordinator at the Burtonsville (MD) Volunteer Fire Department. He developed a proven track record of attracting and retaining qualified fire and EMS volunteers by leveraging creative social media campaigns and creating unique programs to drive and retain new members.
“There isn’t a better time to be joining First Arriving, as the company has achieved remarkable growth and success,” Campbell said. “Playing a pivotal role with an incredible team in helping organizations meet today’s recruitment and retention challenges is where I want to be.”
A 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force, Campbell served as an enlisted and officer recruiter focused on diversity relationships with colleges and universities, including career centers, student clubs and other on-campus organizations.
As an innovator, he has produced content and utilized social media trends to create branding and recruitment opportunities adopted and implemented throughout the Air Force Recruiting Service, non-profits, and other organizations.
“Among many talents, Walter is the king of pop-culture recruiting, bringing his unique humor and creativity to capture the attention of potential recruits across multiple channels. His ability to connect with people and provide first class service is unmatched. He is a welcome addition to our team,” said Tiger Schmittendorf, First Arriving’s Vice President of Strategic Recruitment & Retention Services.
At First Arriving, Campbell will work with the company’s fire/EMS and law enforcement recruitment clients and partners to create and manage compelling recruitment and retention programs, including social media strategies, video creation and Recruitment and Retention platform development.
Raised in Sacramento (CA), Walter was recognized as the Air Force Rookie Recruiter of the Year for the New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware region in 2010.
Campbell regularly speaks about recruitment topics with local and national fire service organizations and serves on the Recruitment & Retention Committee of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association.
In his free time, Walter is a professional standup comedian performing across the country and is a member of the GIs of Comedy, a comedy troupe of troops who have taken their love of their country and brought it to the comedy stage to bring laughter to our armed forces.
