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Lack of Volunteer's readily available
Over the years we all have seen memberships grow and decrease. Since the late 70's we have had the woman or wife figure go from being a home maker to having to obtain full time employment in the work force. Throughout the coming years the fire service has suffered immensely through the change in the American economy. Now heavily dependant on two incomes to survive, it leaves far less time for a member of a household to respond to calls, and the training regiment required of a firefighter.
Ever changing with the economy was the ever changing grant process. Face it, we as firefighter's try to shake every tree for a little money for equipment and to keep replacing the apparatus we use to stay current. The ability to start a pay per call system is always a great thought, but the absolute lack of grants available is terrible. Tax districts can't afford to raise taxes beyond the tax payers means, or your faced with even further mutiny by them.
Smaller fire departments with smaller budgets tend to have a lot of family bases in them. Family history in a particular FD is common. Without the influx of the new family into the fire service I fear that the ever growing lack of interest into volunteer firefighting is going to lead to the demise of smaller companies without the tax basis to impliment the programs to retain and sustain the membership rolls.
What we need is a course of action. Politicians all say there are plenty of grants available. As well this is correct, there are a lot of flaws. The Assistance to Firefighters grants when they first came out were abundant in money, and also applications. The application process was relitively easy but long, but in the long run there was money to go around. As always in our REACTIVE political society, we (the firefighters) took a hit by congress and every year are faced with less money, and a growing list of applicants. We all try for the money to improve our safety through new PPE, SCBA, Thermal Imagry Camera's, or apparatus. Again, methods of getting and retaining volunteers is left on a back burner. The extra grant requirements of "match grants" where you match a percentage of the grant you are applying for if you receive it is a great idea, and well embraced. (by companies that have the money to match the funds) Lets face it if a company has the abilty to match $200,000 towards a huge grant, maybe the grant was better suited for a less fortunate company.
In closing, I think we as firefighters need to do something about the issue. It isn't fair that we put our lives, our family's sanity, and our job's on hold to protect the lives and property of the residents and visitors of our respective locations, and in turn take budget cuts, no funding, and no way to get new volunteers or retain them. Congress needs to specifically address the issue, to ensure we as firefighters have EVERY tool we need, EVERY opportunity to enhance our memberships, and EVERY opportunity to ensure these members have a reason to stay. It may take time and money, but where will America be without volunteer firefighters?
Ever changing with the economy was the ever changing grant process. Face it, we as firefighter's try to shake every tree for a little money for equipment and to keep replacing the apparatus we use to stay current. The ability to start a pay per call system is always a great thought, but the absolute lack of grants available is terrible. Tax districts can't afford to raise taxes beyond the tax payers means, or your faced with even further mutiny by them.
Smaller fire departments with smaller budgets tend to have a lot of family bases in them. Family history in a particular FD is common. Without the influx of the new family into the fire service I fear that the ever growing lack of interest into volunteer firefighting is going to lead to the demise of smaller companies without the tax basis to impliment the programs to retain and sustain the membership rolls.
What we need is a course of action. Politicians all say there are plenty of grants available. As well this is correct, there are a lot of flaws. The Assistance to Firefighters grants when they first came out were abundant in money, and also applications. The application process was relitively easy but long, but in the long run there was money to go around. As always in our REACTIVE political society, we (the firefighters) took a hit by congress and every year are faced with less money, and a growing list of applicants. We all try for the money to improve our safety through new PPE, SCBA, Thermal Imagry Camera's, or apparatus. Again, methods of getting and retaining volunteers is left on a back burner. The extra grant requirements of "match grants" where you match a percentage of the grant you are applying for if you receive it is a great idea, and well embraced. (by companies that have the money to match the funds) Lets face it if a company has the abilty to match $200,000 towards a huge grant, maybe the grant was better suited for a less fortunate company.
In closing, I think we as firefighters need to do something about the issue. It isn't fair that we put our lives, our family's sanity, and our job's on hold to protect the lives and property of the residents and visitors of our respective locations, and in turn take budget cuts, no funding, and no way to get new volunteers or retain them. Congress needs to specifically address the issue, to ensure we as firefighters have EVERY tool we need, EVERY opportunity to enhance our memberships, and EVERY opportunity to ensure these members have a reason to stay. It may take time and money, but where will America be without volunteer firefighters?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joe Sheldon on
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I agree... this is a dilemma that will only get worse before it gets better. I think a lot of people tend to think of it as a funding problem, but in reality is a people problem. People don't work where they live any more, and those that do are much less able to leave their job for a fire than in the past. Unless a serious effort is made to recruit and retain volunteers, many areas will be forced to combine into full time departments with huge coverage areas and increased taxes. I'm not sure what the answers are, but I think better relationships between employers and local fire departments might be a start. I think there needs to be a campaign to get businesses to understand the problem and become part of the solution. Just my 2 cents.
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
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I believe my state or perhaps its federal they have legislation that an employer can NOT hold it against you if you come in late or miss a day for a major fire where your services were used. I am sure some will abuse the new system if it makes it through, but thats going to happen. I can only hope that all companies would take the initiative to pay their employees something so it isnt as bad to miss a little time here and there so long as the employee doesnt become an abuser
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Permalink Reply by David E. Stokes on
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Well, it isnt a problem with an easy answer here. I remember when i first joined my department in 1983, membership was high and so was moral. You just wanted to be able to give back to your community then. As time progressed, business had the mentality that if you leave to go to a fire while I own you and get hurt, you lose your job. Its money money money for business now adays. The attitudes towards volunteering have also changed. Now its, "you cant make me do this, im volunteering my time when I can" but do you see them at calls, training fundraisers? Not here, and then its, "well your not paying me to show up why put forth the effort". Thats what volunteering is, giving back to your community, Isnt it? I dont know an easy answer, but I hope we find the answer soon. Stay safe out there.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Hoey on
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Tax breaks local goverment help such as discounts on water bills and such I have heard helps, the problem is that so many have had to increse there work hours that the time they can give is being used up. We are lucky we have a strong core group of guys and still get out as fast as the paid company down the road but you do see less and less younger guys coming in, its time to get out to the schools and let them know what we do and see if the schools will give credit for hours served.
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I like the idea. The school's here have implemented mandatory community service hours before they can graduate high school. A lot of times we are lucky to score 1 a year from this, but again they are kids, and if they dont have a history in the service they tend to be history when their obligation of hours is over.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin King on
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I've been involved in Fire Service for 30 yrs. in this time there has been good and bad changes.My thoughts on this may not fit with alot of you but that is what makes the world go round.If you don't put on the air of professionalism no-one looks at you.If you don't go to training you can't be professional.If you don't know how to use your equipment your a liability and dangerous to those who do.If all you want to do is run lights and siren and look cool,STAY HOME.If you want to recruit people talk to the people,Don't bullshit them let them know from the start it is a commitment not just a good time.Schools around here have what they call career day go talk to them.Wear youre gear on scene, learn your job,quit bitchin about any little thing and remember without people like us people die,lives are shattered,property is lost.You must present yourself and your Department as professionals if you want to be respected,you have to be respected to make people want to follw your steps.As far as funding and grants that is FUBAR and always has been,We make do with what we have til we get different or newer.Bottom line is Training,Professionalism,Pride,Respect will get you farther than bitching,whining.If you think you might quit maybe you dont belong here to start with.This is a passion not a job
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I agree with going to the schools and talking to the students. Try telling the town that. They dont even have a career day, and its like pulling teeth to allow fire prevention week to be recogised in school. So far as whining, not sure where I came off as whiney in my post, but to each their own. Be well and stay safe
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Permalink Reply by David McElroy on
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We all know that there are recruitment and retention issues with todays Fire Service. I'm not really sure what the answer is and there are several opinions out there. I think there has to be some form of compensation and incentive program. I have heard of some communities giving people who become members of the Volunteer Fire / Rescue Department Property Tax breaks etc as long as they stay active with making calls and training. I recently heard of an idea to establish a Volunteer Fire Corps which would act like the Military Reserves that would be Federally and Locally Protected where members would do 2 weeks a year and a weekend a month and would be compensated as Military Reservists do. I'm sure the program would have to be adjusted and formated to fit local needs but maybe its an option to look at.
Municipalities have tried to answer the manpower problems with hiring fulltime or perdiem personnel to cover daytime hours but that feeds into the budget crisis that small municipalities are in these days, some thoughts are to go to a county wide system but that is difficult sell here in my area. So there is no clear cut answer for the problem just ideas to throw out there and think about.
Take Care and Stay Safe All !!
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Permalink Reply by Terry Lambert on
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here is an idea to get younger (high school age) member's in. Try starting a explore post program. We have one in my county, and it seems to be working pretty good. It would be a start to get them interested in the fire service.
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Both of the departments I run with have a junior/cadet program. With the one department, they have to maintain a C average or better. If they do not, they are suspended until they get them back up. Under Virginia law, once they have FFI, and their parents written permision, they can go in to structure fires. They can not get on an ambulance until they are 18. insurance controls that one.
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I wish Rhode Island had the same standard for interior firefighting. As a 17 year old I was pretty knowledgeable, and could have got some more under my belt. Either way, it is good that you run a junior program, I seriously think this area of the fire service could, and should be improved greatly. We need inscentive programs designed to pull kids off the street and turn them into awesome firefighters. As always thanks for the contribution Terry, stay safe
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Permalink Reply by Darrell Dennison on
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It seams that the last few years the Kids are getting younger and younger adn their additudes have changed from what can I do top help you to What can you do for me and what can I get out of this for nothing in return.
I call it the pour ME syndrome.
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