Yea, it can be a bit confusing and daunting at first. Especially with today's fast pace and constant technological changes.
Try a Google search of "HTML tables" or a tutorial based on that and you MIGHT be able to figure it out. And I only say "might" because I don't know how much coding access you have or how your template is set up.
The first two things that caught my attention were the email links on the home page. Those can be wide open doors for spammers, hackers and virus attacks. Just FYI.
The other thing I noticed was there isn't a "home" button. Just something to think about.
Otherwise, not too bad at all. Keep up the good work!
LOL What's up with all of the "great state" all of the sudden? ;o )
Is it just me or do some of the links not work in the navigation? I could get them to do their little drop-down effect, but couldn't actually get a "click" to work. I'm not using Internet Explorer, nor am I on a PC, so I'm assuming that's the issue...
I LOVE the sign on the home page. Makes me want to design a banner or poster or something and put it up at our station.
I started out designing our department's website when I was hired and quickly picked up some of the websites for the cities we cover. I don't have an art degree or a college degree in computer science, everything I have learned about web design I have learned on my own during my off-time. I feel that most department's don't understand the value of their current website or how easy a website makes it to connect to the residents they serve. Usually after I sit down with them and discuss the benefits of having a website, they change their attitude toward the whole idea. You can visit my site at www.thirdalarmdesigns.com and the site of the department I serve at www.villagefiredept.com.
I think you hit the nail on the head with your comments.
There is real value in a department website. From informing the public about open burning laws, fire safety / prevention and even possibly answering questions such as "Do you fill swimming pools?".
Not to mention the opportunity to meet other fire departments and possibly even trade patches, which for some is a BIG deal.
So are the sites you develop a CMS system where members of the department can update them on their own then?
I don't mean to be rude here, but why do so many fire, police and EMS sites just down right stink?
I think in many, many cases it will come down to $$$$$$ or not having the expertise within the dept to put together a worthwhile site.