Advancing Volunteer Fire Services: The Imperative Shift to Scheduled On-Station Staffing
Volunteer firefighters have been the backbone of community safety, stepping up to the call of duty during emergencies. However, the traditional volunteer firefighting model, with its reliance on a response from home or work, is increasingly showing its limitations in delivering the prompt and effective emergency response that communities now require. This article explores the need to transition towards a reliable, scheduled, on-station staffing model and effective response force deployment.
The Reality of the Response-Based Model
The traditional volunteer firefighting model operates on a response-based system. When an emergency arises, the pager goes off, and firefighters leave their homes or workplaces to rush to the station. Unfortunately, the time taken from receiving the alert to being fully geared up and on the scene can be significant. This is particularly true for volunteers in rural or remote areas where distance adds to the response time.
The unpredictability of this model is a further issue. Firefighters, like anyone else, have personal and professional commitments that may sometimes prevent them from responding to a call. This can lead to an insufficient number of responders or, in the worst-case scenario, no response at all.
A Proposed Shift: Scheduled On-Station Staffing and Effective Response Force Deployment
The proposed shift moves towards a model of reliable, scheduled on-station staffing. This does not necessitate giving up day jobs or other commitments but rather committing to a set schedule for being at the fire station. The proposal also includes a more strategic deployment of response forces, considering their availability, skills, and the specific emergency requirements.
Adopting service delivery goals in line with NFPA 1710 standards, typically designed for career fire departments, can also provide a framework to enhance the effectiveness of emergency response in volunteer departments.
This shift offers several key benefits:
- Improved Response Times: With firefighters already at the station, when a call comes in, the response can be immediate, saving crucial minutes.
- Assured Availability: Scheduling ensures that the station always has a guaranteed minimum number of responders, eliminating the risk of insufficient or no response.
- Optimized Response Force Deployment: Having a clear understanding of who is available and their skills enables more effective deployment of response forces.
- Enhanced Training Opportunities: Regular presence at the station allows for more consistent, structured training, thereby enhancing the skills and expertise of the firefighters.
- Increased Community Presence: A constantly manned station boosts the visibility of the service within the community, encouraging increased engagement and support.
The Necessity of Flexible Scheduling
A critical element of this shift is the adoption of a flexible scheduling system. Such a system can accommodate volunteer firefighters’ diverse availabilities and commitments, enabling them to choose when they can be at the station. This ensures that the station always has adequate coverage without overburdening individual volunteers.
Embracing Change for Improved Service Delivery
While the response-based model has been a part of firefighting culture for years, the needs of communities and the demand for prompt and effective emergency response necessitate a shift in the operational model of volunteer firefighting. Transitioning to scheduled on-station staffing, effective response force deployment, and setting and monitoring of service delivery goals as per NFPA 1710 may require a significant shift in operational mindset, but it represents a necessary evolution towards improved safety and well-being of communities.
This transition is a collective effort. Through the shared dedication of volunteer firefighters, the support of their communities, and the leadership of fire service leaders, the sector can embrace this transition and usher in an era of volunteer firefighting that is more responsive, effective, and valued by the communities served.
