Adam Jack, Responserack
Volunteer Fire Chiefs tell me that department transparency - open visibility into the department - is a key benefit of deploying Responserack (Fire RMS). Knowing who is contributing time and effort to the department is valuable, but having the whole department know it … becomes invaluable.
Responserack's visibility allows all members to see that their contributions are recognized and appreciated by the department. Transparency allows everybody to feel connected & engaged with the department’s operations.
Knowing who is top responder is a good start - it allows the benefits of positive peer influence. Volunteer firefighters aspire to be top responder … some for the whole year, and some one month at a time. Other volunteer firefighters have friendly competition between them as they compete for who attend more calls each year.
Responserack's visibility helps everybody in the department know who are the top responders.
Some volunteer firefighters cannot be top responders because their work takes them away from district, but they can still be top trainers. They dedicate their contributions to their own training, and the training of others, and generally help the department improve skills.
Observing others training inspires more training.Some volunteers contribute maintenance effort to the department. Fixing trucks, fixing equipment, fixing stations. Others might provide administrative support, or grant writing, or helps in some auxiliary capacity.
So much goes into a volunteer fire service. Raise that awareness.Knowing what meetings are occurring, and who is attending them, is great transparency. From a “truck committee” specifying a new apparatus, to adhoc trainings. The transparency of knowing who is meeting when and why allows volunteers to further understand the total workings of the department.
Firefighters are engaged by knowing so much that is going on.
Visibility and transparency make a department stronger. Volunteer firefighter are more engaged in their department, their department operations, and have a better understanding of the contributions of everybody in the fire family.
If others are contributing hours each week, it is easier for each member to contribute some hours each week. A rising tide lifts all boats.
Sign up to hear more from Responserack on Volunteer Fire Departments, USFA NERIS and USFA NFIRS.
Responserack provides services for volunteer fire departments; member information services, incident reporting, NFIRS and so much more.
