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Getting Good Volunteers
It seems that any time we get a new group volunteers, only about one out of five turns out to be a " Good" volunteer. By good I mean one that comes to the training, listens to the Sr. members and genuinely tries to do a good job. The rest, which are soon weeded out, only seem to be in it todrive fast, and claim to be a member of the fire dept. They don't want to train or listen or do any of the work.I was wondering how many newbies other depts had to sift through to get a good one. ( Backround checks,DL checks are done on all our newbies. )
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Schander on
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I can imagine what the response was........... LOL
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Permalink Reply by John on
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We usually have at least 20 start with computer based testing then that drops down to maybe 5-6 and then they go through agility testing, after that is the background check, I think we have at least 3-4 out of our last group but they are at other stations and I have no idea how well they are doing.
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Permalink Reply by Smoke Eater on
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Out of our last 5 probies, 3 have been awsome. They must have FFI within the first year which they are probies for one yr. anyway. But our probies are great and stay on top of everything. They show up for calls, do the dirty work, and very seldom have to be told what to do. 2 of them just recently got thier certs back from the state. Untill then they were not able to go out with the trucks but we did let them stand by on station. While we were out they would actually sweep the floors and do any other house keeping that needed to be done. Then when we got back they would help us get everything back in service. We have a real dedicated group right now and I hope they stay that way. I wish my guys knew how proud of them I am.
Stay safe
Josh
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Permalink Reply by Lt. Ballinger on
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We go through a ton of new recruits each year. I think some of them have the wrong impression of the commitment needed or we've had some join thinking they would be in the inferno the first night. We do background checks( or used to. Kinda wonder anymore), the Chief checks with other local dept.'s to make sure they didn't come from one of them and there was a reason they are gone and the like. I don't think there is really a key to finding the good ones or "the ones that will give you a return on your investment". I have had some quit because they didn't get new gear the first night. We have ordered gear for probies before to have them quit in 3 months so we no longer order them gear until they have been there a year or more with a good attendance at trainings and calls. Otherwise the ones that get new gear give up their old stuff to the senoir person who needs it the most.
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Its a constant issue. Unfortunately you have to go through this as you just cant always tell a book by its cover. I have to say that some who came in to volunteer I didnt figure would stick around and they ended up being good members. So one never knows. As has been stated so many times before, You just keep giving people a chance and see what shakes out in the end. If you could find the answer we all wouldnt be continually looking for more volunteers. Keep up the good work Bro.........
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Permalink Reply by anna m. mills on
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wow we've gone so many but then when you get that one you abuse them almost and stand a chance of losing them them to that. because by the time we get to that one good member fire or ems and it's been awhile and you are hurting really bad for someone to help you out and bam they are running them hard. cat chasing it's tail. but keep recruiting and they will come.
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