Winding down

In my particular department, we have a required minimum of response to calls that we have to meet. When you look at a requirement such as this, everyone tends to automatically think of the negative aspects. They think about making requirements of volunteers and about how it seems more like work than a hobby. When you look at it from an officer's standpoint, this ensures that enough personnel respond to emergencies at any given time. Those that argue that requiring us to have a minimum standard will say that this will deter us from wanting to volunteer. I feel this to be false. I'm going to run calls whether or not I have a requirement. I did it when I was the only person working a fire, and I'll do it all the same with help. 

My department is testing various participation methods this year to give the department a first had look of different options. I can already see that not may ppl are as dedicated as a few of us are, myself included. Maybe it's because I enjoy it so much an that I may have found my passion. I've never really understood completely, but for some reason, I've always made the protection and safety of my community a priority. Since the age of 18, I've always been ready to go at the drop of a hat. Ready to pull someone from a mangled car or man the hose on a house fire. Some of my proudest moments were tearing down the street in a fire truck on my way to a call. These days, everyone has gotten a little more safety conscious. In the eyes of safety, this is a good thing. 

In the interest of a positive image and public information, we created a Facebook page. I figure that most everyone uses Facebook anyway, it should be one of the easiest ways to get information out, people in, and generate support for the department. Our calls have went down lately. I figured we would be running ourselves ragged before it was all over with, but as it turns out, it wasn't all that bad. It would seem that the tensions we've had have subsided...for now. Back to normalish operations. We have hit pretty hard on our preplans this month. We are hoping to have every business preplanned before the end of the year. Time to go searching every nook and cranny. 

The volunteers have had a little more responsibility dumped on them due to some events. You can already tell who is up to the task of handling responsibility and who is not. It's nothing to frown upon, not everyone is up to the task. This is a point that leaders are realized. These men and women step up to challenges and take point amongst a team of their peers. Everyone gets into this business for different reasons. Some get into it for fun, some for education and experience, and some for novelty. When you find a person that is here for all the right reasons combined, you find the potential for leadership. 

Things won't always stay the same way. In this business, you have to be able to roll with the punches dealt to you at a moments notice. Your training and knowledge can be put to the test at the drop of a hat. Keep up on your training and remain at the ready. 

Keep fighting the good fight.