Hey...
By now, most of you have read the article in USA Today last week regarding the volunteer fire service. Here is a link in case you missed it.
And while there are various reasons for these reported issues and problems (some discussed in the article and some clearly not) ...the fact of the matter is that in many areas, the challenges of operating an effective volunteer or combination fire department is a major issue. We have been told that in the coming days, there will be other news articles coming out as the media deeply explores the fire service-and in particular, the volunteer fire service and the issues of response, staffing, training, funding and leadership.
One interesting item is a "tool" that the National Volunteer Fire Council has developed called the NVFC's Cost Savings Calculator. This free tool will help your VFD determine it's contribution to the community, and provide data for the citizens and especially, your politicians who fund the departments. It can help you educate your city/town council, fire department boards and commissions, community groups, and even your firefighters about the value that your department may bring to the community.
Got to http://www.nvfc.org/calculator/main.html and check it out. It is free online, the initial study itself is downloadable as well and there is even a free Power point program.
Generally, you can go to most any volunteer firehouse and hear the discussions about "how much money is being saved" by the volunteers...and that's a big deal. And while money may be saved, it must also be compared to the particular VFD's staffing, time
ly response times, training, leadership and other serious challenges. After all, saving money may be great but if the VFD has poor response times, poor turnout, little or inadequate training-all issues facing some volunteer fire companies (and some non-volunteer FD's as well), the money savings is B. S. The community "feels" like they are protected...but are they? The true answers are always known by those who carry the pagers. Ever heard this....
- "We love our VFD...we have some great people and we really do care"...
- "Yeah...but sometimes we really have trouble getting the apparatus out for calls when the tones go off"....
- "Yeah...but look how much MONEY we are saving the community".....
- "But so many of our responding members fail to show up for basic training"....
- "Yeah...but look how much MONEY we are saving the community"....
W.T.F. ?!
On the other hand, there are many outstanding VFD's that consistently respond quickly...VFD's that are well lead with well trained and adequately staffed companies providing excellent service...that matters. Often, these VFD's are like many that also ha
ve to raise their own funds...something that makes little sense. The NVFC's Cost Savings Calculator is a tool that is helpful in getting local politicians and citizens to "get it" when it comes to understanding the value of their volunteer firefighters.
...and what the cost savings of a truly effective, mission focused and service oriented volunteer fire department is...or can be.
Take Care,
BillyG
The Secret List 11-12-05
www.FirefighterCloseCalls.com
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