Chief's Corner
From our weekly issue dated October 22, 2008
Fire departments are seeing volunteer and staffing shortages across the USA; there are problems nationwide. Our firefighters are considered part of the nation's “domestic army” -- they are fire troops called upon to respond to any emergency or even another terrorist attack, and are an asset to the welfare of our communities.
But in many financially troubled cities, counties and fire districts the ranks of those first-responders are thinning. Staffing problems in our fire agencies leave citizens unprotected during an extreme emergency incident, fire, medical or even another terrorist attack. Sure, we don’t have tall buildings or large industrial complexes, but remember that the terrorists of 9-11 learned their skill of flying in small town America.
The Associated Press in a 2006 report stated: At least two-thirds of the nation’s fire departments are understaffed, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which sets firefighting codes and standards. The shortage is worst in rural volunteer departments that have trouble recruiting new members and volunteers. But many big and medium-size city fire departments are also short-handed.
Some cities and fire agencies are having to close fire stations. In many cities, response times are slower, and trucks go out with too few firefighters.
A classic example of that real impact cited by fire investigators identified many factors that contributed to the deaths of 100 people in a West Warwick, R.I., nightclub fire in 2006. A report commissioned by the state noted that the five fire trucks at the scene arrived with only two firefighters each -- half the number recommended by the NFPA. News videos showed delays in getting water on the fire. While staffing companies to nationally recognized standards is desirable, “it is beyond the reach financially for our valley as it is with many financially strapped communities.”
Nationally, the number of firefighters has remained stagnant in recent years, despite federal help from the Dept. of Home Land Security for many, but not for us. Our fire budget is based solely on property taxes. The Bush administration, which has emphasized that staffing levels for fire departments should be largely a local responsibility is phasing out the Home Land Security support.
In many cities, fire chiefs are having to lay off firefighting personnel or not fill vacancies. This is leading to dangerously lower staffing levels that could leave emergency workers unprepared and citizens unprotected during future disastrous events as in our wildfires or floods. The call-up of reservists and National Guard members for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has also taxed fire departments staffing levels.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, the National Guard has called up hundreds of firefighters to serve and that number continues to increase.
Smaller Staffing, Higher Standards
I, along with most fire chiefs and emergency preparedness officials, as is the “National Fire Council,” are most concerned about the shortage of firefighters, who would be the first to respond to any catastrophic event or fires. During the past 20 years, the number of firefighters nationwide has declined, despite a 25 percent increase in the nation’s population.
If we can't even tackle a moderate or large structure fire, how are we going to handle a multicasualty or a second fire incident? Our continuing volunteer staffing problems means that our fire trucks still are sent out with fewer firefighters, sometimes only one on the apparatus. But NFPA and Oregon OSHA safety standards for interior fire attack dictates that two firefighters may enter a burning building while two remain outside to handle equipment and, if necessary, rescue their colleagues. This is called the two-in/two-out concept.
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Our volunteers and career staff are loyal and dedicated to the safety and protection of our communities.
We now have three new fire stations that were absolutely needed due to the falling down 57-year-old buildings that should have been red-tagged as unsafe. Our fire apparatus is suitable for now, and some rigs are in need of replacement. One of our fire engines is still in service; it was built by Ford in 1964.
This is our community, and together we live as neighbors. We need to continue to be independent and self-reliant. Your Illinois Valley Fire District lives in your communities and so do firefighters and support personnel. We ask continued support for the fire district, that citizens remember to vote in the November election.
