As the new year approaches, we have a chance for new beginnings and to make our resolutions. In the spirit of the new year, I present the top 10 volunteer fire department resolutions.
10. Recruit 10 percent more members then you loose. It is natural to have churn in a department, but we need to be proactive in recruiting and not take a ‘loss’ each year. By being proactive, your department will not fall into a deeper hole, and end up with the call when no one showed.
9. Plan your drills in advance. Planning in advance will provide for a better training environment, higher attendance, and productive training. Plan drills based upon where your skills are lacking and the types of calls you respond to most. Good utilization of training time respects your members time and makes you a better department overall.
8. Design a budget and stick to it. It is hard to plan for emergencies, but budgeting will help you to plan and builds a restrain mechanism into spending.
7. Do smart fundraisers, rather then what has been done before. If fundraisers do not pass the McDonalds test, don’t do them. If you follow number 8, you will be able to plan your fundraising to exceed your budgetary needs.
6. Update one section of your bylaws. A bylaws document should not be static and should be changed to keep with the times. Figure out what is working, and what is not. Think outside the box, and look at the way other departments function.
5. Update one section of your SOGs. Fire tactics, regulations, and technologies change. Be sure to consult OSHA regulations and NFPA guidelines. While we are still putting the wet stuff on the red stuff, our industry is changing. Stay ahead of the changes.
4. Apply for at least one grant. Every department should apply at least for the Fire Act grant. Focus on one area you need to improve and file for that area only. Have a plan of action, and a way to execute it. Also look for state and or forestry grants. There is a grant for just about everything if you look hard enough.
3. Clean out your extra equipment. VolunteerFD.org is collecting excess equipment and already has more requests for equipment then equipment on hand. There are areas without even basic equipment, and we all have surplus equipment. Even if you do not want to donate it through VolunteerFD.org, give it to your neighboring department in need. (You can email me at Jason@volunteerfd.org for more info.)
2. Give back to your community. Hold one function purely for your community. Fire education is great, and so is an ‘open house’. Maybe it is helping with community clean up. Whatever it is, it will be appreciated.
1. Say thank you to your members, your family, and those that matter most.