On average, many departments can cover one or two open positions on their roster. But what happens when a department faces the departure of 25% of its personnel? This can result in an unprecedented amount of overtime, most of it coming in the form of mandatory overtime. The burnout becomes real and evident. This is the story of how a department can face the challenge head-on and work to restore its ranks and recover from challenges associated with high turnover and attrition. In this presentation, I will share the recruitment and retention issues that fire and EMS departments have faced, the challenges they continue to face, and the adaptations that can be made by the membership and the administration. This is an issue that departments large and small are facing throughout the country. This session is appropriate for all levels of an organization, from the newest probationary member to the chief officers.