By Kevin Dippolito
It goes without saying that the integration of paid firefighters or drivers into a fire district or department that has always been a volunteer system can be a stressful and turbulent endeavor to say the least. The mere suggestion of converting to a combination department can cause a stir. But, it doesn’t have to; more importantly, it shouldn’t. Regardless of where you operate in the United States, there are policies, procedures, and simple operational gestures that can lessen the stress or the “blow” the dedicated volunteer firefighters who serve their community may feel. This can be done while providing efficient, tactical fire and rescue operations. In this article, I share some operational and administrative procedures to consider when bringing career firefighters into a volunteer system. These procedures can have a positive impact on the overall transition to a combination fire service.
The Initial Transition
Let’s assume that the decision has been made to obtain a pumper and staff it with career firefighters during weekday hours, in an effort to supplement the existing volunteer fire service. There are certain things the governing body can do to lay the groundwork for what must be a mutually respectful and beneficial transition to a combination fire service.
First, the person leading the transition should, at a minimum, keep the existing volunteer command staff “in the loop” during the transition. By doing so, you are not only showing respect for their position within the volunteer fire department but you are also opening up a dialogue that may provide valuable insight to promote a smooth transition. The chief of the volunteer fire department will be able to provide insight into the concerns of the firefighters. It’s also wise to involve the volunteer command staff in the hiring process if possible. Ask the chiefs to sit in on the review of the application and the interview process. If permitted to do so, it may also be beneficial to make a presentation to the volunteer company officers and firefighters, formal or informal, so they hear it straight from municipal leadership the details of the transition.
From the onset of these interactions, it is imperative to convey to the volunteer firefighters that you respect them and you are aware of the exceptional service they have and will continue to provide for many years to what is likely their home community. Verbally recognizing that they are for all intents and purpose “unpaid professionals,” is probably one of the most important things you can convey to the volunteer firefighters. Make it clear that whether they are volunteer or paid, we are all brothers and sisters in the fire service. Make it clear also that the introduction of career firefighters or drivers is a way to strengthen their abilities, not to replace the volunteers. These presentations are also an opportunity for the existing volunteers to ask questions regarding the transition that you may not have covered.
Discuss the Benefits
Now that you have presented to the rank and file your intent for a respectful transition, it’s time to explain exactly how these career firefighters can assist their department with emergency operations and at the same time present ways the fire company’s already positive image within their community will continue to flourish. Some examples follow.
• Having a staffed engine company available to respond immediately will surely improve response time.
• Improved or rapid response times to a citizen or business owner’s call for assistance will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the overall image of the fire service in the community.
• Better response times can also lead to better insurance ratings for the municipality, which can lead to lower fire insurance rates.
• The increased number of firefighters on the fire or rescue grounds will lead to more rapid deployment of suppression or rescue operations.
• Having a career-staffed engine company available during the day can also allow the volunteer fire apparatus the option to have the career engine company handle certain trivial assignments, allowing the volunteers the ability to return to their jobs, families, or other communities sooner.
In addition to emergency response operations, there are many ways the career firefighters can help the volunteer fire chiefs or companies with tasks:
• Apparatus maintenance/checks
• Inspections of equipment and turnout gear
• Assist with training new volunteer firefighters who are available during weekdays
• Updating street maps
• Creating preplans
• Data entry of reports and equipment inventory
• Assist with fire prevention activities.
Funding
There is no doubt volunteer fire companies save their respective municipalities and its citizens an enormous amount of money. Currently, one station staffed 24/7 by eight firefighters staffing one engine company and one truck company would cost more than $2 million a year just in salaries and benefits. Unfortunately, despite the money a volunteer fire company saves its municipality, volunteer fire companies, like mine, are forced to hold fund-raising events just to maintain operations. Quite often, volunteer fire companies spend more time working fund-raising events than they do training and emergency responses. It is absolutely imperative that the governing agencies continue to financially support their volunteer fire companies ta the same level of contribution as they have in the past.
Fire Safety Inspections/Preincident Planning
Assuming that the career firefighters and engine company are in service, it is strongly recommended that they become involved in, or establish, an annual fire safety inspection program. This is also an opportunity for the fire company to meet the recommendations of National Fire Protection Association 1620, Standard for Pre-Incident Planning, by having the career staff create and maintain the preincident plans for their response area.
Offer a Ride-Along Program
Have the volunteer firefighters and company offers, if they so choose, accompany the career engine company while performing fire safety inspections or preincident planning. This is an outstanding way for them to learn the layout of the buildings, locations of critical utilities, types of materials within a building, locations of specific rooms, as well as building construction, among other things in a non-emergency setting. This is also a way to build relationships between the volunteer and career firefighters.
Response Standard Operating Guidelines
Once the career engine company is on the street, it can display many gestures of respect that will likely go a long way with the volunteer command staff and firefighters. A few of them are listed below.
• Don’t take control. If the new career engine company is operated and controlled by the municipality instead of the volunteer fire company, it is advisable that the career company respond as a “mutual-aid” engine in conjunction with the volunteer apparatus. Don’t take incident command of the volunteer company’s first due. Let the command staff of the volunteer fire company control the incident and follow its respective incident command structure.
• Dispatch information. If you work in a system where the dispatcher provides an initial report from the 911 caller, quite often the career engine company will be given that report as they are typically the first apparatus on radio responding. Show your respect to the volunteer chief or company officer by relaying the report you were given to them when they respond. Aside from the respect you are showing, this is an appropriate tactical procedure since the chief or company officer can now consider the report in the tactical decisions should the incident be a working fire.
• Report your findings. Quite often, the career engine company will have time to investigate the emergency prior to the arrival of the volunteer chief or company officer. Show respect to the first-due company by reporting your findings to this officer; allow the volunteer officer to downgrade the emergency or return the unneeded apparatus.
• At the completion of the assignment. Be sure to assist the volunteer apparatus crew pack its equipment back on the rig, just as they should do for you. It is also recommended that before leaving the scene you check with the volunteer officer-in-charge to make sure it is okay for you to take up.
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Regardless of whether you are a volunteer or a paid firefighters, we are all brothers and sisters and have the same passion to protect lives and property. Treating each other with respect and appreciation will enhance what is, in my opinion, the greatest profession in the world.
BIO
Kevin Dippolito is a 31-year veteran of the fire service and fire marshal in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania. He is a past chief of the Fairless Hills (PA) Volunteer Fire Co., and a Pennsylvania State fire & EMS instructor.
