Help please!

[codeblue81]

Okay, 1st for a little bit of background. my hometown is protected by a small VFD. The main station is in the other small town (pop. 550).
It houses 2 pumpers (around 750gpm each, old pumpers),1 mini pumper, and 1 2000gal tanker.
The other dept in the small town (pop 450) houses 1 late 70s model Chevy brush truck (200gpm). The dept memebers don't really care to change anything. It's more or less just a hobby for them. I would like to apply for grants to get new apparatus and even a pumper and tanker for the smaller town. I want to do this without stepping on toes though. Any ideas on what to do. The chief it's thrilled about the position he has (pretty much forced on him). There is so much that needs to be done but noone but myself is willing to do it. HELP!!

code_blue81

[bfcf623]

Hi, help me out your description is confusing. Are you saying this department has two stations, one in the town of 550 population and is equipped with two engines, one tanker and mini pumper. The second station is located in the town with 450 population and houses only a mini pumper?. How many miles separate the towns?. What exactly is your position in this department?

[codeblue81]

yes, it is one dept with 2 different stations. The towns are 3 miles apart and has about 20 members. The smaller town has nothing but a mid 70s era brush truck. But over the past few years a majority of fires have been in the smaller town. It just doesn't make any sense. I'm sure we can get grants and have the manpower to run a pumper and tanker. I just don't want to step on any toes and go behind peoples backs.

code_blue81

[erik3811wfd]

If the chief of this dept. isn't thrilled with his position thats real trouble....do you think he even knows whats available???,maybee someone should say something!!!, how are the other officers?, do you think that they would respond
positively to the idea?, if you need the grants
to keep your equipment up to date and in safe operating order it is every firefighters duty to
say something to him.........it's your *** protect
it. Remember your firefighters should only be using equipment they feel safe with, SAFETY #1

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE ANYTHING

[bfcf623]

Hi, okay from what I gather your kinda new on the department (around 1 year experience?). For the sake of clarity lets call the town with all the trucks St.1 and the smaller one St.2
Recently, the majority of your fires have occurred in St.2 area. Fires are physically unpredictable (we know were going to have a fire but not when or where). Anytime the situation could change and the majority of the fires could occur in St.1 area. Three miles is not a unreasonable distance to travel for a call I'm guessing of course that the road connecting the two towns is a highway. Unless it takes a really long time to get the vehicles out the door the response should not be to long.
You mentioned the pumpers are old, I like new vehicles as much as anyone, the question is are they reliable? I know of departments that function fine with older well maintained vehicles (proficient people can get good results with old and/or new equipment, if their not proficient new vehicles won't change a thing).
Your not in a position to apply or ask for grants you don't have authority, thats for the Chief and governing fire board do. Remember he is your boss and if you try something on his behalf without approval more than likely you will be watching as they drive by to calls.
You can make suggestions however, you need to be cautious and compare both the good and bad points about your idea prior to presenting them (not only in a physical sense but the mental mindset of the people your bringing something before). Don't over do it and ask for lots of changes. Proceed slowly accomplish one goal and move to the next, I can't tell you excatly how to go about it. I don't know you and the people that make up the department.
I think you can try some things such as; learn as much as you can about the fire service both on your own and from the members, certainly some would share their experiences and stories. Show intrest in the apparatus and equipment, if your mechanically inclined offer to help maintain them (there is nothing like a clean fire truck!).
Another thought, if the space is available move a pumper from St.1 to St.2 It's feasable with minimal disruption or expense. One final thought you need to ask yourself "am I going to be here (fire department) for a long time?" if the answer is "no" Then don't get worked up about everything make the most of it and enjoy the time you put in.