Author: Candice McDonald Publisher: ISBN: Category : Languages : en Pages : 120
Book Description
Volunteer firefighters make up almost 75% of the U.S. fire service. Fire service leaders face challenges in retaining volunteers, as evident by the 12% decline in volunteer firefighters since 1984. The purpose of the study was to explore what strategies fire service leaders have used to retain firefighters in the United States. The conceptual framework of this single case study was Freeman's stakeholder theory, which states that leaders can maximize the organization's performance by meeting the needs of those with a stake in the future of the organization. Face-to-face, seminstrucutred interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 5 fire service leaders from Somerset County, New Jersey who had successfully implemented strategies for volunteer firefighter retention. Interview transcripts and supporting documents were explored using a modified Van Kaam model as a basis to analyze and create common themes for coding. Through methodological triangulation, 6 volunteer firefighter retention strategy themes emerged: a) schedule accommodations, (b) nonwage benefits, (c) opportunities for employee success, (d) recognition, (e) family, and (f) recruitment. From these 6 themes, 2 of the most successful retention strategies used by fire service leaders were identified as restructuring requirements for schedule accommodation and offering professional development. Specific recommendations from the research findings for retention include offering training, flexible scheduling, providing uniforms, family inclusion, and employee recognition. Implications for positive social change include offering strategies needed to improve the retention of volunteer firefighters, which may lead to the retention of public service employees to foster a high-quality workforce to serve the public.
Author: Tom Merrill Publisher: Fire Engineering Books ISBN: 1593705875 Category : Technology & Engineering Languages : en Pages : 367
Book Description
The Professional Volunteer Fire Department by Tom Merrill highlights the importance of developing and upholding a professional reputation in the firefighting community, regardless of whether one is a paid or volunteer firefighter. Merrill emphasizes that professionalism is not tied to a paycheck but is instead defined by attitude, appearance, competency, commitment, and dedication. Endorsed by several Chiefs, this book is regarded as a must-read for all volunteer firefighters. It provides valuable insights into recruiting, retaining, and developing professional volunteer firefighters. Merrill's expertise challenges readers to elevate their performance and raise the standards within their departments, ultimately contributing to the overall professionalism of the volunteer fire service Through this captivating and informative book, Merrill aims to instill a sense of pride and service above self in volunteer firefighters. The book serves as a rallying call for those who are passionate about their service and ignites a fire within them to continue making a difference. Testimonials “If you can read this book and not feel a sense of pride, that overwhelming feeling of service above self, the feeling that what you do as a volunteer firefighter matters, then maybe it’s time for a change. But if you are the one who reads it and gets fired up about what we do, then you’re in for a very special ride!” —Chief Rick Lasky, Fire Chief (ret.), Lewisville Texas “Tom Merrill is a true gentleman and a professional. His classes and articles detailing professionalism in the volunteer fire service are captivating and informative. This book is no different and should be on the must-read list of all volunteer firefighters, regardless of rank, title, or experience.” —Brandon S. Fletcher, Fire Chief, Gilt Edge (TN) Fire Department “Tom Merrill has spent his life working to improve the ‘professional’ image of the volunteer firefighter. This book is a compilation of his experiences and what works and doesn’t work in the recruiting, retaining, and development of the professional volunteer firefighter. His writing challenges you to raise your standard of performance.” —Chief John M. Buckman III, State Fire Training Director at Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office
Author: Jack W. Snook Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning ISBN: 0763742074 Category : Political Science Languages : en Pages : 145
Book Description
This must have resource examines the challenges of providing volunteer fire protection in modern day America. Readers are guided through a process of self-assessment and planning using case studies and activity worksheets. Skills and strategies are developed, yielding practical assistance to those charged with leading a volunteer fire department.
Author: Jason Decremer Publisher: ISBN: Category : Languages : en Pages : 129
Book Description
The number of active volunteer firefighters has been steadily dropping in the state of Connecticut for several years. At the same time, the number of public service calls for fire departments has been on the rise. This problem impacts fire protection and municipalities that rely on volunteer fire departments. The purpose of this narrative study was to explore why volunteer firefighter numbers have been declining, the extent to which recruitment and retention programs are used in volunteer fire departments, and how these programs contribute to a fire department's ability to recruit members. Perry's public service motivation model provided the theoretical framework for the study. Research questions focused on improving recruitment and retention programs. Data were collected from interviews with 5 current chief officers and 5 former firefighters in Connecticut and from organizational documents in local fire departments. Open, axial, and selective coding were used to identify 5 themes: lack of awareness of state policy on recruitment and retention, lack of recruitment, public service motivation, retention, and time. A key theme emerging from this study were that participating fire departments have limited effective recruitment and retention programs. The positive social change implications stemming from this study include recommendations to fire department leadership to consider a unified recruitment and retention strategy. This determination provides a foundation for volunteer fire departments to make informed decisions on how to increase recruitment and retention in their respective communities.
Author: Christine M. Trexler Publisher: ISBN: Category : Languages : en Pages : 119
Book Description
The steady decline of volunteer firefighters across the United States is becoming problematic. The lack of adequate volunteer firefighters compromises the effective service given to the community as well as the safety of the firefighters. The purpose of this qualitative embedded single case study was to explore community member perceptions of social and economic motivational factors about firefighter participation. The sample was composed of 10 non-volunteer community members, 10 current volunteer firefighters, and 10 previous volunteer firefighters. Analysis of the data was performed to assess community members’ perception to volunteer or not volunteer as a volunteer firefighter. The findings demonstrated many of the non-volunteer community members perceptions supported the need to educate the community on the needs of a volunteer fire department, the need to effectively retain those currently involved and to evaluate internal governance. Recommendations for practice were for rural volunteer fire companies to develop a strategic marketing plan built upon the platform of educating community members, actively supporting and maintaining current volunteers. Recommendations for future research included a study about on motivation of high-risk volunteering specifically in the fire service area.
Author: Joe Nedder Publisher: Fire Engineering Books ISBN: 1593704887 Category : Technology & Engineering Languages : en Pages : 176
Book Description
Risk management is one of the most important but frequently ignored fireground management skills. The volunteer fire service is particularly vulnerable because of a lack of understanding and training in a risk management system, why we need it, how it works, and how to use it. What are some risk reduction strategies? How do you identify risks and dangers and how they affect firefighters? How do you control those risks and limit danger to firefighters? How often have firefighters taken unnecessary risks? Firefighting is a dangerous job, but risks need to be measured against the capabilities of the responding firefighters. Do their capabilities match the immediate needs of the size-up? What about your personal capabilities? Are you truly prepared? "Joe Nedder knows risk, safety, and firefighting and brings clarity to often diametrically opposing objectives. Joe writes with clarity and insight gained from real-world experience and skin in the game. Managing Risk in the Volunteer Fire Department is a must-read for every firefighter, career or volunteer!" —Chief Bobby Halton, editorial director, Clarion Fire Rescue Group, and educational director, FDIC International "Everything you want to know about managing risk in your volunteer department is here in this new book by Joe Nedder, who dedicated his fire service career to providing better training for volunteer fire departments. He understands the specialized needs of departments big and small and tailors his teaching to encompass departments across North America." —Diane Rothschild, executive editor, Fire Engineering, and conference director, FDIC International
Author: U.s. Department of Homeland Security Publisher: CreateSpace ISBN: 9781494267339 Category : Social Science Languages : en Pages : 262
Book Description
In 2004, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) worked in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to revise the 1998 text, Retention and Recruitment in the Volunteer Fire Service: Problems and Solutions. The original text was based on a series of workshops bringing together volunteer fire service members from all the States. This edition has been enhanced with new research and current issues as the emergency services enter the 21st century. Many of the original reasons for the recruitment problems remain: lack of time, apathy, and excessive requirements. However, they appear to have become even greater issues with the passing of time. Although the recruitment and retention challenges continue to grow, some volunteer organizations maintain good membership while others continue to function with reduced numbers. Those organizations that seek solutions and adapt to our changing personnel environment are successful. Individuals are still willing to give their time to volunteer emergency services organizations provided the following: The experience is rewarding and worth their time; The training requirements are not excessive; The time demands are adaptable and manageable; They are rewarded with a personal sense of value; There is good leadership minimizing conflict; There is ample support for the organization. The emergency services are the most demanding of volunteer activities today. The physical and time demands associated with training; responding to incidents; maintaining facilities, apparatus, and equipment; fundraising; and administering a nonprofit corporation are grueling if not managed properly. In today's hectic world, strong leadership is required to make the emergency services the organizations that will attract volunteers. This text will cover many of the problems of recruitment and retention and provide some examples of solutions that have worked in volunteer organizations across the Nation.
Author: David Arnold Greene Publisher: ISBN: Category : Languages : en Pages : 432
Book Description
This dissertation examines satisfaction levels among volunteer firefighters. In 1985, there were 838,000 volunteer firefighters in the United States. This number dropped to below 756,000 in 2011. Because only eight percent of fire departments in the United States do not utilize volunteer firefighters, reversing the decline in the number of volunteer firefighters is essential to the safety of the public and other firefighters. This study utilized a mixed methods approach to determine what motives exist for those to join the volunteer fire service, how these motives alter and map to expectations for continued service, and how well volunteer departments are meeting these different expectations. A snowball sample completed interviews and concept maps, which enabled the study to identify the widest breadth of factors involved. Then a random, representative sample of volunteer firefighters in the State of South Carolina completed a survey to evaluate the importance of motives and expectations as well as satisfaction levels and projected end of service. Regression analysis determined what factors have an influence on a volunteer firefighter's service length. Results determined that there is no long-term connection of service length associated with initial motives to join. Overall, volunteer firefighters join with naive motives that become informed expectations to continue service. These expectations are mainly values and enhancement factors such as helping others, civic responsibility, serving as a role model, being a member of valued public service and a feeling of accomplishment, but also include a few understanding and social factors such as obtaining training and fellowship. This research also concluded that fire departments are doing well at meeting volunteers' expectations and providing them satisfaction. Despite this conclusion, improvements are necessary. Satisfaction from values factors, years of service, gender, population type served, and equipment (such as light, siren, radio) in a volunteer's personal vehicle have a statistically significant influence on eventual service length, while satisfaction from enhancement factors, intermittent service, race, and career motives to join have a marginally significant influence. From a practical standpoint, this study offers recommendations that fire service leaders can use to improve volunteer recruitment and retention.
Author: Candice McDonald
Author: 
Author: Tom Merrill
Author: Jack W. Snook
Author: Jason Decremer
Author: Christine M. Trexler
Author: Joe Nedder
Author: U.s. Department of Homeland Security
Author: Iowa. Volunteer Fire Fighters Pension Task Force
Author: David Arnold Greene