What’s the best way to manage volunteers with very different motivation levels?

If some people are all in and others can only give the bare minimum, then it’s time to review your organization’s structure and consider a new system

January 17, 2022 11:49 AM •

In this episode of “What’s YOUR Problem?,” Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder answers this question:

I’m a chief officer for a small volunteer department. We have some members who are very involved and driven and many others who want to help but don’t have the same availability or drive. I don’t want to turn anyone away; we need all the help we can get. But it’s hard to know how to manage two very different groups.”

Check out Goldfeder’s response.

Do you have a question for Chief Goldfeder? Email editor@firerescue1.com or submit a question here.

Watch more What’s YOUR Problem? videos here.

Billy Goldfeder

Chief Billy Goldfeder, EFO, a firefighter since 1973, serves as deputy fire chief of the Loveland-Symmes (Ohio) Fire Department. He also serves as Lexipol’s senior fire advisor and is a member of the Fire Chief/FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board. Goldfeder is a member of the Board of Directors for several organizations: the IAFC, the September 11th Families Association and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). He also provides expert review assistance to the CDC NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program. Goldfeder is the recipient of numerous operational and administrative awards, appointments and recognitions. He has served on several NFPA and IAFC committees, has authored numerous articles and books, and presented several sessions at industry events. Chief Goldfeder co-hosts the website www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com.
Email FireRescue1 your questions for Chief Goldfeder’s video series “What’s YOUR Problem?”