VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE IN PA

FACTS, MYTHS, COMPLAINTS, AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

FACTS: VOLUNTEERS Decrease in # of volunteer firefighters

300,000 in 1970s70,000 in 1990s

PA State Fire Commissioner Edward A. Mann estimates about 50,000 volunteer today

2,400 fire departments across PA’s 67 counties

FACTS: LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Municipal governments responsible for fire protection & emergency medical services (EMS)

Volunteer fire services save local governments about $6 billion in avoided costs

Estimated hourly value of PA volunteer firefighter is $20.51

FACTS: FUNDING

PA Volunteer Firefighter Relief Association Program and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program

Programs provide $150 million a year to volunteer fire service

MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS

Myth: Local services tax funds fire departments

Myth: State training requirements hinder recruiting efforts

Myth: Volunteer fire departments are in great financial health

Reality: Volunteer fire departments do not receive any local service tax revenue

Reality: Pennsylvania does not require any level of training for state firefighters

Reality: Many volunteer fire departments face dire financial circumstances. Local governments must create career fire departments if they lose volunteer service.

MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS

COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS Fundraising requirements

Dissatisfaction with time spent on fundraising (chicken barbecues, bingo games, etc.)

Firehouse politicsBureaucratic red tape (4 month process to

replace a lost glove in Montgomery County, PA) Both cited as main reasons for leaving

departments

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

RETENTION Exit surveys to determine why people

are leaving

Example: Montgomery County, PennsylvaniaFire department reduced bureaucratic red

tape after exit surveys frequently cited it as reason for leaving

RECRUITMENT: WITHOUT LEGISLATION

Shorten application Quick and personal follow up with

applicants Establish Citizen’s Fire Academy Market to “millennial” generation

Diverse and tech-savvy demographic group

Value: recognition, little bureaucracy, friendly work environments

RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT: WITHOUT LEGISLATION

Selective paging reduces # of volunteers for unnecessary runs

Climate & exit surveys to assess retention needs Highlands Emergency Services Alliance

EMS and firefighting training to high school students during school

Essentials of Fire Fighting and Emergency Response certification

Many later serve as junior firefighters

TRAINING: WITHOUT LEGISLATION

Online training options O’Hara Township

Points-based gift card incentive systemAwarded points for tasks such as training and

EMS shifts Customize training to dept & community

needs Montgomery County, Virginia

County-wide Volunteer Orientation teaches basics of firefighting & emergency response

COMMUNITY RELATIONS: WITHOUT LEGISLATION

Build strong relationships Work with local elected

officials & community groupsDepartment tours, better

communication, etc

Reach out to community for non-firefighting jobs fundraising, financial reports,

administrative, etc

RECRUITMENT: WITH LEGISLATION

Create incentives for different age groupsYounger: Tuition breaksMiddle-age: Student loan forgivenessOlder: Length of service awards or retiree

stipends

RECRUITMENT: EXPAND FIREVEST

Allegheny County Scholarship for volunteer firefighters65-credit Associate’s Degree at Community

College of Allegheny CountyCovers tuition, fees, & booksMust meet minimum 2.00 GPAMust commit to 5 years of fire service

FireVEST scholars represent 60 Allegheny County companies and 14 CCAC academic programs

60% current participants have GPAs above 3.0

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION: WITH LEGISLATION

Implement recommendations in Senate Resolution 60 report

Tax and insurance incentives for volunteer firefighters local income tax breaks forgiveness of local fire tax state income tax breaks municipal group medical insurance rates state grant programs local matches for Length of Service Award Programs

Albemarle County, Virginia Funds incentives and cost recovery so volunteers don’t

spend money to volunteer.

TRAINING: WITH LEGISLATION

Tax foreign fire insurance to fund volunteer training

Albemarle County, Virginia County funds volunteer leadership and management

programs

COMMUNITY RELATIONS: WITH LEGISLATION

Establish state-funded regional support network Help with technology, administration,

accounting, time consuming projects Restructure Volunteer Loan Assistance

Program

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

What can we do?As citizens…As volunteers…As elected officials…

How can we help?As citizens…As volunteers…As elected officials…