Volunteer fire depts.

[crazym29]

The volunteer fire dept. that I am on is haveing some conflict between volunteers and full time personal. Our volunteer's are expected to be on duty every third day for 12 hours and 24 on weekends an hoildays. we are also required to be at a training session every Thursday night for 3 hours. On top of this we are not aloud vacation days unless they are in concurrence with our full time jobs, we are required to have doctors excuses if we take off for being sick, and if we need to have a day off we are required to find coverage. We were woundering how your dept. worked. and if you had any suggestions that may help us.
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[EFDems841]

Melissa,
If that's your Volly schedule, I'd hate to see what the paid schedule looks like. Sounds like they want you to act as a paid member without the $$$. Volunteerism seems almost dead in your FD. Getting a doctors note when your sick to get out of a volunteer shift? that's ludacris. Most jobs only ask for one if you're going to be out for an extended period of time.

[berger3447]

good lord, that's nuts! Key word: VOLUNTEER. No idea what to tell you...

[phxfire]

I'm no legal expert but the requirements of time may violate the fair labor standards act. If you are required to work along side the paid personnel, do the same work, and receive no compensation then I'd be worried about FLSA.

[Capez]

I concur, can you say VOLUNTEER! Hello. . .

[efdtower1dr]

And I thought the volunteer FD I also belong to had problems. Let me stop and count my blessings for dealing with a few childish situations each week.
Your department sounds like a VFD in our area. They have new pumpers, a new rescue truck, newer ambulances and only 8 to 10 personnel to staff it all. On top of this their call volumes increase about 10 percent plus each year. They have a hard time getting a crew during the night and even a harder time during the day--they rely on alot of mutual/automatic aid.
Just remember you can't have it like the Limp Bizcuit CD title goes "It's my way or the Highway."
Keep it safe and do the 2 in and 2 out rule.

[duffer]

When's the next officers election? If not soon enough a coupe sounds in order. A volunteer is just that.

[glowpop]

It sounds as if someone/some group doesn't want volunteers. If this is possible then trying to institute change is pointless, particularly if those as officers are career and have the support of the elected officials.

Put a positive spin on this. That may mean more career positions. If your interested in it as a career, make sure that your prepared. Get your certifications, go to as many training sessions as you can, get educated (this is not the same as training) and be ready to take the Physical Agility Test (PAT) when and if you need to.

Develop a professional relationship with the career personnel especially those who may have a say in who gets hired. Do whatever you can to get the job.

While your on duty, dress, act and perform as a professional and that will make a difference when and if there is a job opportunity.

If your not interested in it as a career, then your choices involve either sticking with it and being a change agent, which might be very difficult, or going elsewhere to volunteer. What ever you do, respect those who you "work" with. Treat them as you want to be treated. Just because they want to make it hard on you doesn't mean you have to be a jerk. Rise above it and feel good about yourself. Remember why and for whom we exist!!!

[ 08-17-2001: Message edited by: amfm ]

[distchief60b]

While it is a vlounteer Organization...all have to have rules...these may be a bit much...but...either efect a change int eh proper ways, live with it...or move on.

FLSA does not apply to volunteers........Otherwise there would be no Red Cross, etc who give time in disasters....WAKE UP!

I worked at a combination department where most of the stations (16 in all) had stringent staffing requirements that were made by the volunteer organizations...not the career side. but...they made that easier by being flexible... One station required you to pull at least 1 duty night from 6 pm to 6am. They also had training one night a week and a monthly meeting (one of the training nights). Then...you pulled a weekend every 5th weekend. That duty was from 6Am saturday to 6 Pm sunday. The bunk room was cleaned and sheets replaced daily by a cleaning service. When you ran the weekend, your crew was supplied with a set amount of money to cover sat night and sunday meals. The duty nights along with calls an other activities were documented and you receive points. It was a LOSAP..Length Of Service Awards Program. If you had so many points at end of year you were awarded one year of service. If you received that credit, you also received a hefty deduction in personal property taxes for that year. When you accumulated 25 years you could draw a retirement check of XXX /month. Not a significant amount for sure...but still....

They also supplied uniforms and accessories including duty boots...one pari/year if you were active.