As the world around us changes, so does the fire service. Some changes over the past 50 years have been positive … and some negative. But from department to department, one thing is always the same: A firefighter will always be a firefighter, no matter how different the world around them becomes. With change comes the need for strong leadership, and I can’t stress enough how important it is for department leadership to recognize when changes need to be made, and for all department members to be willing to accept new things. I know this can be hard to accept at times, especially when we’re affected directly, but acceptance will enable the fire service to continue to function and provide protection to those who live in and visit our jurisdictions. With that in mind, let’s review a few of the major changes that have affected a large portion the fire service nationwide.
Changing Roles
For most of us, the number of fires we respond to is down. Better building codes, fire protection systems and fire prevention education have all contributed to this decrease. These changes have also greatly decreased the number of lives lost because of fire–a positive change of which everyone in the fire service can be proud. The only negative aspect about having fewer fires is justifying a need for fire department staffing and apparatus to remain as robust as they have for the past years.
Fewer fire responses have led to several other changes that now drive the modern fire service. Across the U.S. we see more and more fire departments changing their names from the traditional “Fire Department” to other titles, such as “Fire Rescue,” “Fire/EMS” or “Emergency Services.” For example, the Dallas Fire Department changed its name a few years ago to Dallas Fire Rescue. You wouldn’t think changing the name would make that big of a difference, but it does. This change lets the citizens of Dallas know that the fire department doesn’t just fight fire but that it also responds to calls that may involve any type of rescue. Membership didn’t take this change well, at first, because of long-standing traditions, but now its membership doesn’t think twice about the name, and the public has a better understanding of the jobs to which Dallas firefighters responds.
Probably the biggest change that the fire service has had to embrace is providing emergency medical care. This change not only allows fire departments to better interact with its citizens, but also to provide an important and needed service. While providing EMS, many departments have been able to keep firefighters employed while other firehouses are closing and engine and truck companies are disbanding. Another benefit from this change: Fire departments can now provide a source of income for their general operating budgets or governing bodies by billing the patients they treat and transport to the hospital.
Further, fire departments have now became the “go-to” place for handling every other emergency within their jurisdiction, including high-angle and low-angle rescue, hazmat response, confined space, swiftwater and any other 9-1-1 calls. These specialty trained fire teams help justify the need of the fire department, its personnel and equipment.
More with Less
Even though call volumes are higher than ever before–and continue to increase each year–the size of almost every fire department isn’t increasing. This is because of a change in the U.S. that has affected not only the fire service but also most people in general: the economy. When it comes to fire department budgets, it always seems to be feast or famine. The fault of many fire departments’ decreasing or depleted budgets are caused by the bad economy, as well as poor planning of city leaders who fail to see the need for change or refuse to accept it.
Fire chiefs and other fire service leaders have to learn to be creative and open-minded when it comes to managing and leading their fire department to keep up with the ever-changing world around us, finding ways to justify the need for the protection of the fire department. Leadership must be much more than just fire chiefs or figureheads–they must be business managers as well.
Firefighters continue to prepare for any incident, but with the changes over the last 50 years, firefighters, officers and fire chiefs now have to expect the unexpected and be prepared for their departments to take on new tasks and programs, and to do it with smaller budgets and fewer personnel.
