FireRescue1’s Year in Review 2008
Every year at this time, we all take a moment to look back at the past year and look forward to the next. There is a sense of new beginnings and putting the past behind us. While we usually look at things from a personal basis, it is also important to look at how our department has fared and what we expect to change next year.
Both personally and as departments, 2008 will probably go down as the year of the economic crisis. Whether you consider the past year to be a downturn, recession or even depression, the basics are still the same. Departments and communities are running tight on their budgets and all too often our members have to pick up more hours or a second job to make ends meet.
The political scene is one of change and uncertainty. Bailouts and assistance programs have become the norm, although not necessarily for public services. Everyone seems to be unsure of where the end is going to be and who is going to be around next year. Bankruptcies are the norm and we even saw a major apparatus manufacturer file chapter 11.
All of this uncertainty can make it hard to plan for 2009. Probably the only thing we can plan on is more uncertainty. With that in mind, it is time to tighten our proverbial belts and reassess what is needed and what is not. Safety can never be compromised but repainting the firehouse may have to wait until later. Priorities — and a reasonable budget — need to be set.
Some departments still do not budget well and live essentially paycheck to paycheck, raising money only when a new truck is needed. The current political and financial arena will not sustain these types of policies. We need to plan for a decrease in public funding and giving. We need to also plan on having difficulty in getting financing or raising bonds.
That means we need to have an appropriate amount of cash or rainy days. Departments need to have enough funds on hand to cover at least two to three month’s expenses. This can be very difficult if you are having trouble making ends meet now but it must be done. Without a cash reserve, any bump in the road or unexpected expenditure may cause the department to have to close its doors.
Where in the past we may have been able to go back to the well when we need money, the well may have run dry in 2009. This means you need to start talking with your townspeople and government at the local, state and federal levels to see how much support there truly is for your department. While we may all assume that public services are the last to go, there were multiple departments that had to close this year. Being proactive is the only way to ensure that your funders are on your side.
You also need to get a realistic estimate of what your income truly will be in 2009. Everyone is feeling the squeeze and discretionary income is shrinking. If you have relied on weekly bingos to fund your department, realize that bingo money comes secondary to heat and food to most people. This means your estimated income may need to be cut and you may have to look at alternative fundraisers.
Not all will be bad in 2009. Technology and Web sites such a VolunteerFD.org continue to grow. This means there will be more knowledge sharing and resources to cope with hard times. We all need to band together and help each other through the year. Maybe your department can share or trade excess equipment with a neighboring department or pool resources. This is also the season of sharing so let’s all reach out and help a department that is less fortunate. Your oldest apparatus may be 20 years old and due for replacement but others may not have any apparatus.
Think back and count your blessings from 2008 and find a way to make it through 2009. Together we can get through anything.