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� � � � :, .� :� �� �� �� _,�-- � . , � �.�' " ' � LACK OFVOLUNTEERS � Nationally, the number of volunteers has continued �o drop since a high of 880,000 in 1 gg4 %1V Today, the total num- � ber o�r volunteer firefighters has declined by about 10 percent, representing a reduction of approximately 90,000 indi- � viduals to 790.000. � � ,�. � �� � � � � ��ti� �d �� �� �� ��p.QdC d�0 �0� �� ��Q,G4� ��O,CO� 7�0�70� ��0.7�C� �aoTr��at i'vl�mlwr �rolyhLr� 17�+1-�40+ ...__ ......------• ---..._..---._.._ . . . �F_. ..__..._. __.._ � — _� � r - •-�� I —Z�.•.�ia.� •— �.. ,..��L . �.� • - �L��.v ' f i .. � . - � - _ .�.��. �� s x � �} k�y : .�}�-M1I.J ��L ��_Gl �, � �� JL� ��Y +J �� a � ��''4 �� ,� �rFkti.'1�k�� V v� �' �'} �� J sl•• 7 —_ �C' _ .. � �— _ �� ..��li:r i rrf '. �.�. L :'s i�: -:yry ! .�L•" �{ r �:� •.��+:' �' � ':�r'� ��:� . . :: I ''� r -' f;.�' � .�� II � �rt:�ll'. ��? �.I'�� . uqiunteers as well as problems with recruiting new volunteers. q _�._ r — - , � �.. , '' Retention � � Retention of volunteer firefighters is a sul,�.i.: •- :' �. �•,•:� •• � f•;� �: �� fire service. It is estimated that the national �eten- tion average of volunteer firefighters is approximately four years"' per person, per department. When recruiting vol- unteer firefighters,the fire depattment will spend approximately $4,000 per person in orienting, equipping and train- ing those ieciuits. While this figure would appear to be conservative in some jurisdictions, the cost to maintain one volunteer for the national retention rate average of four years is approximately $1,00a per year. This may not be an effed�ive investment based on the return by the volunteer. Retention of volunteer firefighters is a complex issue with a number of variables that can contribute to the lack of longevity Irt 1943, the consultingfirm �ri-Data, on behalf of the United States Fire Administration (IJSFA), conducted a national study titled Retention and Recruitmentin the Volunteer Fire Service, Problems and Solutions. The study was assembled with input from volunteer departments across the cauntry. The following areas were identified as major issues affecting retention of volunteer firefighters: 14 Volunteers face increased demands from the fire department stemming from the increase in emergency response calls, the need for ongoing training and the increasing need to underiake specialized training. Demands on the volu�tteers time are also increasing away from the fire department as families struggle to bal- ance the career and family obligations of today'stwo-income families. Many of those who volunteerfor the fire department do so in orderto improve their employability Avolunteer fire depariment will providetraining at no cost. This training can then be used to obtain a full-time position with in the profession. IMPROVING VOLUNTEER FiRL SERVICE SERV[CLABII.€7Y TO AMER�[�N COMMUNITIES � � � � k �I . � � � 1�