Let’s dive back into the wild world of leadership in the volunteer fire service and how we can keep those flames of sustainability and growth roaring! According to the academics, there are a few key areas where leaders can focus to boost membership and keep volunteers from ghosting like a bad date.
Time Commitment
Life is a circus, and volunteers are juggling jobs, family, and other commitments like they’re auditioning for a reality show. Let’s be real—the cost of living isn’t making it any easier! I’ve got friends who are superheroes, working multiple jobs to keep their families afloat (self-included, of course). Who has time for fire drills when you’re trying to pay the mortgage and keep the kiddos fed? When leaders acknowledge the external pressures of serving as a volunteer, it not only shows members they are looking out for them but it creates a level playing field. It shows the member “I know this takes up your time, but we are in this together, and I will do everything to support you for giving up your time to be here.” I know it sounds cheesy, but validating someone’s time doesn’t cost you anything as a leader and can make all the difference in the world.
Inconsistent Availability
Ah, the unpredictable nature of emergency calls. Just when you’re settling in for a cozy Netflix binge (keep it PG, folks) with your loved one, BAM! The tones drop. It’s a fine line between saving lives and maintaining relationships. You might find yourself in a heated debate about whether saving the day is worth pausing the latest rom-com—good luck with that! To maintain some coverage, some leaders of volley-trolleys are instituting duty nights and availability days to help get the rigs out the door, but in my opinion, this is only a bandaid to a bigger problem. So, you get that committed responder who will answer the call, but is one person even safe? In today’s world, I am going to lean on the answer being “no.” It is a slippery slope to be putting folks on. Why? Well, not only is it a safety concern, but let’s say you and another firefighter work a specific night and you are the only one showing up for calls… it might be fine for a bit, but over time, it can lead to burnout (and resentment among members). Eventually, instead of only one member responding, everyone is ghosting the calls because of the inconsistency of it.
Burnout
This dirty little word seems to sneak up on us like a cat in a firehouse. Let’s face it… It’s real, and it happens way too often. Why? Because we’re always on the hook for the next “big one.” Even then, when it happens, we have little time to fight the fire and get back to our paying jobs and life outside the firehouse. The pressure of it is exhausting, to say the least, and eventually, over time it leads to burnout. Like Mama always said… “you can’t burn it at both ends” for long before your flame goes out, or worse, catches something on fire (mmm, fire, yes… no, no, fire bad). Don’t believe me… have you ever found yourself at a major event, glancing at your watch and mentally calculating if you have time before heading to work or a family event? It’s a difficult balancing act that leaves you stressed and less “hooray!” and more “Oh no, do I have enough time to play firefighter or should I call for an Uber?”
Lack of Support
Okay, I’m pointing a finger at leadership here, but you’ve got to be the lifeline for your team. Nothing feels worse than thinking you’re all alone on your little firefighter island while others are happily swiping left on emergencies and ghosting a call. So, check in with your folks—seriously, don’t wait for them to send a smoke signal on their way out of the fire service. A little effort goes a long way.
Mental Health Resources
We can’t skip this one! Insufficient mental health resources can turn a firehouse into a pressure cooker. As a leader, it’s your job to stay updated on the latest trends to support your team. And yes, I’m subtly plugging my “Spot the Signs” course here. Every first responder reacts differently to stress, so keep your radar on and your team safe (or at least give it a solid shot… you’ll be surprised how much people gravitate towards you because of it).
Training Challenges
I’m all for training, but it must have a purpose! If training feels like watching paint dry, volunteers will mentally check out faster than you can say “fire!” Extensive training can be intimidating, and if it’s not engaging, folks might just throw in the towel before they even start. A leader must communicate expectations and keep the training fun—think obstacle courses, not just lectures! Build your people up and start the rallying call of “Make Training Great Again!”
The main issue in the volunteer fire service often boils down to engagement (or lack thereof). Whether it’s internal drama or the pressures of outside life, some members aren’t fully invested in the mission. Could it be because they’re unpaid and their time is a valuable commodity that comes with an end date? Or could it be a combination of the pressure of being human and having to pay Uncle Sam his yearly tax dues that leaves us all drained at the end of the day?
By tackling these issues head-on with targeted strategies, you can boost retention and engagement among our volunteer firefighters. Let’s keep our teams committed and active because together, we can set the world on fire (or, at least have enough staffing to put it out)!
Keep the train heading in the right direction, and hopefully, everyone will stay on for the duration of the trip. Stay safe, Dr. M
