I have a question. Do any departments/squads utilize full time college students to help supliment their dwindling ranks?
I ask this question for several reasons:
1) In my experience, college students tend to have more free time then they know what to do with, and when college students have too much free time, they tend to get in trouble.
2) most full time college students don't work 9am-5pm. many are available during the daytime, when most adults are at work.
3) Many college EMS squads have applicants lined up out the door with volunteers just looking to volunteer. why don't we, the local municipal departments and squads, actively recruit these people, especially if we have colleges or universities in our town, or in a neighboring town?
4) there are students, who are either volunteer FFs or EMTs in their home town. when they go away to college, many still look to stay involved in emergency services while attending school. these people are not new, and many still have the eagerness and energy to give their time for something they enjoy.
I think using college students can be a great resource. and it can't be a one time thing. active recruiting must occur every year, because the majority of college students will not last more than 4 years (4 years of undergrad). many will not continue with the department past graduation. but if you keep bringing in new members, the new incoming freshmen will replace the graduating seniors.
The majority of the time, if an organization only responds to calls, this won't work. however, if an organization has duty crews / standby hours, and has facilities where a student could either study quietly and/or do laundry, it might help with coverage.
So, do any departments do this, and do they have any suggestions as to how to do this effectively?
I ask this question for several reasons:
1) In my experience, college students tend to have more free time then they know what to do with, and when college students have too much free time, they tend to get in trouble.
2) most full time college students don't work 9am-5pm. many are available during the daytime, when most adults are at work.
3) Many college EMS squads have applicants lined up out the door with volunteers just looking to volunteer. why don't we, the local municipal departments and squads, actively recruit these people, especially if we have colleges or universities in our town, or in a neighboring town?
4) there are students, who are either volunteer FFs or EMTs in their home town. when they go away to college, many still look to stay involved in emergency services while attending school. these people are not new, and many still have the eagerness and energy to give their time for something they enjoy.
I think using college students can be a great resource. and it can't be a one time thing. active recruiting must occur every year, because the majority of college students will not last more than 4 years (4 years of undergrad). many will not continue with the department past graduation. but if you keep bringing in new members, the new incoming freshmen will replace the graduating seniors.
The majority of the time, if an organization only responds to calls, this won't work. however, if an organization has duty crews / standby hours, and has facilities where a student could either study quietly and/or do laundry, it might help with coverage.
So, do any departments do this, and do they have any suggestions as to how to do this effectively?
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