Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services

Retention & Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services: Challenges & Solutions 89
Pennsylvania, Fire Department has a unique shift system that includes many members
who do not reside in the borough. Members are in the station for 8-hour shifts, longer at
night, and are paid for half the time they are on their duty shift. This assures that there is an
onduty crew at all times.
An example would be to assign volunteers to a specific station for one duty shift per
week. Four members are assigned each shift and depending on the situation may be at
the station or on call. Some volunteer stations do not have sleeping quarters so night shift
personnel may be on call during sleeping hours. Ideally, it would be great to have three
shifts that compliment local worker shifts that are usually 7 to 3, 3 to 11, and 11 to 7;
thus, station duty from 6:30 a.m. till 2:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. till 10:30 p.m., and 10:30
p.m. till 6:30 a.m. However, in the real world this is rarely possible. Therefore, workable
hours should be developed by each department to meet its circumstances. A probable
solution is a combination of hours assigned at the station and hours on call. For example,
the department night shift might be at the station from 6:00 till 10:30 p.m. and on call at
home till 6:30 a.m. (People who work 7 to 3 or 8 to 5). See sample schedule.
Two objectives were attempted with this example:
1. Coverage during the morning and evening commutes.
2. A duty shift in the station for at least 3 hours every 12 hours (day/night) to check
equipment and assure that all units are in service, perform preventive maintenance
inspections and work, and complete miscellaneous duties.
This example does not take into consideration all the exceptions that can occur, such as
being held over to work overtime, traffic delays, or untimely weather.
The duty shift system will help a department retain members. As a sign of appreciation,
the department buys meals for volunteers while they are on duty. A Virginia department
has 18 duty shifts allowing members to divide in-station standby duties so that no one is
overwhelmed.
leaVes of absence
Members may quit when time demands from the department, home, or work grow
overwhelming. Sometimes this happens because members become over-committed
and stressed out, and other times because they feel guilty for not meeting the time
requirements of the department.
As previously noted under the section on emotional support, every fire department should
allow members to take extended leaves of absence from all fire department activities.
Obviously, the duration of the leave must be limited to avoid the loss of certifications from