The Professional Volunteer Fire Department (40MA)

This presentation delivers the message that being considered a professional firefighter or a professional member of an organization has absolutely nothing to do with earning a paycheck. And just because a firehouse is staffed by paid personnel in no way means it is a professional fire department. The coveted title "professional" is never automatically assigned to a member, firefighter or a department. It needs to be earned and maintained both individually and organizationally and the way to do that is to build and maintain a strong professional culture that is supported by all members. A professional culture can help address many problems being experienced in the volunteer fire service today. It can bring in more members, help prevent members from leaving, enhance morale, improve competency, limit dysfunction, increase funding and lead to support from community residents as well as local governing bodies. Members should be introduced to the professional culture even before they join. The tone should be set when they first pick up the membership application or when they discuss membership opportunities with a current member or even a former member. The professional mindset should remain with members throughout their fire service journey, and when that journey comes to an end, they should be able to look back on their volunteer experience as a highly positive and rewarding chapter of their lives. The professional culture should also extend beyond the walls of the volunteer firehouse, with members of the community respecting their local volunteer fire department and viewing it as a well-run, competent organization composed of very special and dedicated people. The challenges facing the volunteer fire service today are very real and very well documented. However, all the ideas and suggestions presented in this program to build, maintain and even enhance a professional culture both individually and organizationally are easily implemented and under the direct personal control of each department member. Each class participant will understand that earning a professional reputation has absolutely nothing to do with the size of the department, age of the equipment, number of personnel or operating budget. And, it most definitely has nothing to do with paid staffing. No matter the dynamics or challenges, it is still possible to be a true professional volunteer firefighter serving in a true professional volunteer fire department.