Fairfax, VA – Budget shortfalls and staffing issues are the most common problems plaguing fire departments today, according to a survey conducted by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).
The survey, which was sent electronically to 7,377 members, asked participants to identify any and all challenges and problems they expect to face in 2004. As of Jan. 14, 2004, 863 individuals responded to the survey. The top six issues listed were: budgetary and financial concerns (584 respondents); staffing (493 respondents); increased demands for service (280 respondents); training (135 respondents); equipment needs (104 respondents); and personnel/labor relations (64 respondents).
“Fire departments around the nation are in trouble,” said IAFC President Chief Ernest Mitchell. “The IAFC’s survey reinforces the fact that fire departments don’t have enough money or people to do their jobs.”
A comprehensive report that details the full survey results is available on the IAFC Web site, http://www.iafc.org/downloads/challenges_survey.pdf.
Highlights of the survey results include:
- Nearly every issue listed linked to budgets: participants cited the need to purchase new equipment, hire new fire fighters, conduct training exercises and expand their departments.
- Many fire departments must find alternative sources of revenue, including federal grants, to make up for tax cuts and shrinking budgets.
- Specific staffing issues cited were:
- recruiting and retaining personnel;
- hiring new fire fighters to replace retirees;
- a lack of funds to hire needed additional personnel;
- motivating and providing incentives for employees;
- layoffs at a time when demands for services are increasing;
- and meeting minimum staffing requirements for every day operations.
- Training needs included officer development, succession planning and specialized training needs (hazardous materials, weapons of mass destruction training, etc.) as well as a lack of time and money for training.
- New demands for service included EMS calls (some respondents indicated that these calls make up the majority of their department’s responsibilities) and new responsibilities regarding homeland security. Many departments noted that they lack the resources-particularly staffing and funding-to cover these new responsibilities.
- Some respondents indicated a need for new equipment, from basic replacement of apparatus and gear to the need for specialized equipment for technical rescue or homeland security response.
- Personnel issues, including labor relations and the need to hire more women and minorities, were listed as a significant concern in many departments.
The survey, which was sent electronically to 7,377 members, asked participants to identify the challenges and problems they expect to face in 2004, as well as how the IAFC can help them address these issues. As of Jan. 14, 2004, 863 individuals responded to the survey, which consisted of one close-ended question and three open-ended questions. The results were compiled and tabulated by IAFC staff members.
The intent of the survey was not to obtain data for statistical or scientific purposes; rather, the intent was to obtain a snapshot of the issues and challenges that fire service leaders expect to face in the coming year-and to determine how the association may address these issues for its members.
