Do you think that the myriad training requirements for today’s firefighter will ultimately doom volunteer departments?
YES: 18YES
NO: 24
“Yes, unless the training facilities are adherent to making available alternate training schedules, i.e. day/weekend sessions so that a student can go for training one day per week for an 8 hour session or hold Saturday and Sunday sessions rather than only the 2 nights per week. However, the same training is necessary for both career and volunteer. Fire does not care if you are collecting a check at the end of the week or not. If you are not trained properly, it kills the same way, whether you do this job because you love it or just for the pride to be a firefighter.”
Signed,
Jjbfireinv…
“Yes. I believe that the training requirements will doom the volunteer department. I have seen already, first hand, the loss of our ambulance service. The continuing education hours required by our state has forced
me to give up my EMT status that I held for 10 years. My current work schedule does not permit me the time needed to remain current and others as well on my department to the point 2 years ago my department
gave up the ambulance service.
Fortunately we are close enough that a nearby hospital can support that loss for our district. We also have a neighboring town with a full time department that could provide protection to a portion of our district. But that still leaves a large area unprotected.
Unfortunately there are many areas, not only in our area, but across America, that can not support a full time department. Don’t get me wrong–training is needed and should be mandated by each department, but to meet their needs. Not all members can attend training when it is provided, job schedules being the primary reason.
By the simple definition of the term “volunteer,” men and woman perform the duties of firefighter/EMT without compensation. Other than the pride that comes from helping someone in need. They still have to meet the needs of their families by providing for them as well. And that comes from other full time employment.
So my question is; what if volunteer’s didn’t?”
Signed,
gdhert…
“Yes. With today’s growing requirements for the fire service as well as shrinking budgets, volunteer fire departments that operate on tax dollars and fund raising events are going to be going the way of the fire horse in a few years unless something is done to cover the gap or help those departments who have lost funding amounts.”
Signed,
John…
“Yes. I think ultimately the requirements will doom the volunteer service, but ask yourself who is mandating these requirements.”
Signed,
Pres41…
“Yes. It will doom the volunteer fire service; but will save lives. Training is a needed source of safety. I have been a volunteer for 28 yrs. and am asst. chief.”
Signed,
cgentilquore
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NO
“No. I don’t think the training requirements are a problem for volunteers. But I do think that it helps when volunteers and career drill together so that both groups get used to working as part of the same team. It breaks
了知觉巴里rs and builds confidence. The “separate but equal” training that we typically see is better than nothing, but combined drills improve trust.”
Signed,
Lucheme…
“No. Volunteer departments can keep up with today’s increased training demands, if state training organizations work with them. This means sending state certified instructors out to teach in the volunteer stations and building basic training facilities around the state. It also means breaking up basic firefighter training courses into modules that provide practical skills and that still lead to the same level of training for both volunteer and career firefighters. Volunteer departments can form regional teams to keep specialized skills sharp, such as high angle rescue or hazardous materials response teams.
Volunteering in the fire service is probably the most demanding public service one can undertake but the satisfaction of fire-rescue work cannot be beat. I’ve worked both full time and volunteer and I would recommend it to anyone with a desire to do it.”
Signed,
gtbic…
“No. I think only the departments that should not survive,will not survive. It is, however, important that those government agencies that impose these regulations, pay for the additional training. Those governments that call these regulations guidelines do a terrible disservice to the Fire Departments. They say it is not a law, but unfortunately when it goes to court the guideline will be treated as a law. This is a trick that the government agencies use so that don’t have to help pay for the training.”
Signed,
terb…
“No. I think training standards need to be reviewed throughout the states and minimum standards be developed to allow the volunteers to continue to serve.”
Signed,
jlmiii…
“No. You can hire a Professional Firefighter Instructor/training officer to handle the training requirements. This is a business opportunity, we all have side jobs. Why not train the volunteers?”
Signed,
hfd.sta006…
“No. But the increased requirements for training and the expectation of the public for services will blur the lines between “volunteer” and career. This will require a mindset change on the part of many volunteers to realize that the fire doesn’t know whether you are paid or not and the public doesn’t care. The job of putting out the fire or responding to public need is the same in both cases. Volunteer FD’s will only fade if they fail to grasp the concept that this is a service business and/or they are unwilling to provide the service required by the customers.
Signed,
willliam…
“No, but constant drilling and training of all firefighters is the key. I can see the challenge for small volunteer departments to receive all the training and recerts required. Time commitment and dedication of all members and a committed training program is essential. This problem is not just a volunteer problem, but in recent periodicals, interviews regarding continuing education of big urban departments showed that they are challenged by the same thing.”
Signed,
dsmith…
“No. Training in my department and surrounding area departments already exceeds and surpasses all the State requirements for annual training and meets current NPFA recommendations.”
Signed,
cwhitby1…
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