Longtime volunteers often look back on the “way it used to be.” They recall a time when training was much less demanding and time-consuming and the local fire department had fewer responsibilities. Fires and accidents were pretty much the game. Attendance and training standards were achievable. There were fewer calls, but each was an event that required the assistance of neighbors, who took great pride in their membership in the local department. The community appreciated their neighbors’ help, local businesses supported the volunteer fire department, and the call volume was small enough so as not to interfere with the requirements of the members’ jobs. The system was manageable, the emergencies were mitigated, and it was fun to be a member.
Communities have higher expectations of their department than they did in the past. The Red Ribbon Report covers the issues of departments that might need to transition from all volunteer home response staffing to a different model. Join us for this webinar to learn about the tools developed by the VCOS to assist local decision-makers make appropriate and timely decisions.