As Firehouse Sees It: CPSE Sets Focus for Fire Departments
Over the summer, the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) and International City/County Management Association released a white paper that outlines some of the biggest issues for and recommends initiatives that fire departments can utilize as they plan out the future of their organization over the next 30 years. It is a must-read, not only for chiefs but for all ranks of the fire service to get a better understanding of what’s next.
The “21st Century Fire and Emergency Services” white paper identifies eight critical issues and outlines two dozen initiatives to achieve success. The following is a brief overview of each issue:
Reidentification—The report states that the title “fire department” is a legacy term, which is true for so many departments. However, citizens—those who pay your salaries and for your equipment—need to know that you do more than just respond to structure fires and smell-and-bells calls. Departments are expanding or adding services, such as turning fire prevention outreach into a full-blown community risk reduction (CRR) program. When it comes time to ask for additional funding, it is too late to start promoting yourselves.
Culture—This section focuses on relationships and communication with your community; developing an organization that’s filled with personnel who are adaptable and open-minded and strive for improvement; and promoting professional development while setting expectations. Don’t get me wrong: Tradition is a great thing, and it’s what makes the fire service an amazing group. As we have learned over the past few months dealing with the pandemic, sometimes change is inevitable.
Robust Use of Data—Technology and the cloud play a role in most every part of your day. It’s no surprise that this area has four initiatives. Fire departments need to collect data every day: run volumes, EMS supplies used, costs of services when you include apparatus fuel and maintenance for each run. Then there are the data from CRR outreach that create a plan to reduce the unnecessary 9-1-1 calls that would allow for more training time. When a fire chief is asked to justify purchases, the proof is in the pudding, and it’s called data.
Health and Wellness—Without firefighters, departments can’t answer calls for help. This section focuses on keeping you and your colleagues healthy and safe. They cover hours of work and sleep; mental health; fitness and wellness requirements; decontamination; and upgrades to PPE. Everybody from the rookie firefighter to the fire chief should review this section to ensure that proper steps to take care of yourself and of colleagues are applied.
Partnerships—Although fire departments are the hubs in many communities, they should create allies in other organizations. Many already partner with national organizations for outreach or fundraisers, but what about working with those that are in your own community? They can provide a lot of support and assistance to your department that you might not be aware of.
Sustainability—This one is big. Topics include the future of volunteer fire departments, deployment and staffing for career departments, and updating training and education models. These initiatives can create interesting conversations.
Technology—As mentioned above, technology is part of most every action that you carry out, whether you are in a career or volunteer department. These two initiatives recommend creating a technology resource center to make applications and tools easily accessible for firefighters.
Inclusiveness—As the makeup of communities change, departments should focus on recruiting efforts that mirror their population. These two initiatives cover hiring and partnerships within the community to increase and improve interactions.
Find the full report, examples of departments that found success via these initiatives and a video presentation at https://cpse.org/projects/21st-century.
Virtual Conference Next Month
Our team is proud to present Firehouse Expo Direct, a virtual event that brings more than a dozen of the nation’s most sought-after instructors to your station, home or cellphone on Dec. 8 and 9. Retired firefighter/U.S. Army Ranger Jeff Banman will provide the opening keynote, with Fire Department Chronicles’ Jason Patton wrapping up the two-day event in his closing keynote, “2020. Wow. Just Wow.” Find out who else is presenting and register today at: FirehouseExpo.com.
Peter Matthews | Editor-in-Chief/Conference Director
Peter Matthews is the conference director and editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department.
