I just got done watching A Few Good Men, one of my favorite movies. One of my favorite scenes in the movie is where Tom Cruise is prodding Jack Nicholson to admit he ordered a "Code Red." Cruise asks Nicholson for the truth and Nicholson responds with "You can't handle the truth!"
I can't tell you now many times throughout my 22 years as a fire chief I wanted to tell the elected officials and my bosses "You can't handle the truth" as they were contemplating budget cuts that would impact public safety. Most of the time, they didn't even ask the hard questions about impacts because... they couldn't handle the truth... and they knew it. Or, my boss would order me to make the council report devoid of the stark realities of the impacts... because the boss could not handle the truth.
As I read the headlines on fire service websites, I am saddened to see the fire service sustaining so many cuts, while other things move ahead full steam - like the one I recently read where they were cutting firefighter positions, but building a new baseball stadium. Good God!
It's easy for electeds to feel all warm and fuzzy when talking about building a new baseball stadium and it's damn uncomfortable to talk frankly about the stark reality that if you cut staffing, service levels suffer and the duties performed by the firefighters becomes more dangerous. There's not way to avoid it. That's the truth. But, as we sadly know, they can't handle the truth.
Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
website: http://www.richgasaway.com/
Another Blog: http://www.woppyjawed.blogspot.com/
E-mail: RBG3100@aol.com
Showing posts with label funding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label funding. Show all posts
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
The "new economy"
This "new economy" is going to create some wonderful opportunities for the fire service. Let me explain. There's an old saying that goes something like this "You don't worry about where your next meal will come from when your belly is full." In other words, it's the hunger that drives our instinct to "hunt" for food. Budget cuts will mean there will be less food (money), forcing us to go on a hunt for new and creative ways to survive.
This can be a good thing because it will force fire administrators to look at solutions that before were not attractive. Again, back to my example, if you're not hungry, ants may not look like a tasty treat. But if you are starving, you may eat it (and might even enjoy them... I hear they're quite good when covered in chocolate). But if you are never forced to consider ants as a meal choice, you're far less likely to even consider them an option.
A fire department who has been able to survive on the budget plan that next year's budget will be equal to this year's budget plus 3% is in for a rude awakening. The new economy is going to force them to go on the hunt for new ways of doing business. What do I mean? Here's an example.
Let's say there's a fire alarm activation in a high school during school hours. Logic (and experience). Using my high school as an example (enrollment of about 2,500). There are no less than 1,000 cell phones in that school (my kids contribute 3 of them). If there is an actual fire in the school, the 9-1-1 phones are going to light up like a Christmas tree. So why is it that some fire departments send 3 engines, 2 ladders, 2 chiefs, a boat and a helicopter (ok, maybe a slight exaggeration... maybe they don't send the boat) to a fire alarm activation at a fully occupied high school. Send one company. If you get additional calls, upgrade. Controversial? Perhaps. But this type of response is, in my opinion, excessive and expensive. Helps to keep the numbers up and justify the staffing levels, for sure. But those staffing levels are going to change in this new economy and departments are going to be forced to hunt for new ways to do business.
Regionalization of services, consolidations, mergers, cooperative ventures... all on the table. Some years ago (age won't allow me to remember the year) we were going through some tough economic times and I wrote an article where I noted the tough economy will force departments to do things in new ways. Unfortunately, the economy turned around quickly and everyone was able to recover before they changed or starved and it was back to business as usual.
I am far less optimistic that this economy will turn around as quickly and we are all going to be forced to go on the hunt for new and innovative ways to survive... and thrive.
Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
www.RichGasaway.com
This commentary was also posted on the Fire Service Chief Officer's Group on LinkedIn. My thanks to the visionary leadership of Fire Chief George Esbensen (Eden Prairie, Minnesota) for starting this group. I encourage you to join in the discussion here and there. Sharing thoughts and ideas makes all of us smarter.
This can be a good thing because it will force fire administrators to look at solutions that before were not attractive. Again, back to my example, if you're not hungry, ants may not look like a tasty treat. But if you are starving, you may eat it (and might even enjoy them... I hear they're quite good when covered in chocolate). But if you are never forced to consider ants as a meal choice, you're far less likely to even consider them an option.
A fire department who has been able to survive on the budget plan that next year's budget will be equal to this year's budget plus 3% is in for a rude awakening. The new economy is going to force them to go on the hunt for new ways of doing business. What do I mean? Here's an example.
Let's say there's a fire alarm activation in a high school during school hours. Logic (and experience). Using my high school as an example (enrollment of about 2,500). There are no less than 1,000 cell phones in that school (my kids contribute 3 of them). If there is an actual fire in the school, the 9-1-1 phones are going to light up like a Christmas tree. So why is it that some fire departments send 3 engines, 2 ladders, 2 chiefs, a boat and a helicopter (ok, maybe a slight exaggeration... maybe they don't send the boat) to a fire alarm activation at a fully occupied high school. Send one company. If you get additional calls, upgrade. Controversial? Perhaps. But this type of response is, in my opinion, excessive and expensive. Helps to keep the numbers up and justify the staffing levels, for sure. But those staffing levels are going to change in this new economy and departments are going to be forced to hunt for new ways to do business.
Regionalization of services, consolidations, mergers, cooperative ventures... all on the table. Some years ago (age won't allow me to remember the year) we were going through some tough economic times and I wrote an article where I noted the tough economy will force departments to do things in new ways. Unfortunately, the economy turned around quickly and everyone was able to recover before they changed or starved and it was back to business as usual.
I am far less optimistic that this economy will turn around as quickly and we are all going to be forced to go on the hunt for new and innovative ways to survive... and thrive.
Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
www.RichGasaway.com
This commentary was also posted on the Fire Service Chief Officer's Group on LinkedIn. My thanks to the visionary leadership of Fire Chief George Esbensen (Eden Prairie, Minnesota) for starting this group. I encourage you to join in the discussion here and there. Sharing thoughts and ideas makes all of us smarter.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Training Grant Funding Deadline
November 30 Application Deadline to Apply for Online Training Grant Funding
This is a reminder that November 30 is the last day to apply for a grant for online training. TargetSafety, a VCOS partner and supporter, has established that as the final date when U.S. volunteer and combination fire departments can apply for their $1.5 million online training grant.
Almost 200 applications have already been received from departments located in 45 different states. Among the states with the highest number of grant submissions are Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, North Carolina and Texas followed closely by Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts and Montana.
“Last year, TargetSafety and the VCOS awarded $1 million in grant funding to volunteer and combination departments across the U.S.,” said Chief Timothy S. Wall, VCOS chair. “With an additional half million dollars in funding this year, we hope to reach even more departments, providing a greater number of firefighters with the training necessary to do their jobs safely and efficiently.”
Those awarded the grant will receive six months of free access to TargetSafety’s PreventionLink™ online training and records management platform. The platform includes 15 hours of essential firefighter training from a choice of NFPA-approved fire curriculum, EMS continuing education, OSHA, human resources and general safety courses. Grant winners will also receive web-based tools for assigning, tracking and recording all online and instructor-led training as well as documenting inspections, policy reviews and other compliance-related tasks.
Volunteer and combination fire departments interested in applying for the grant can go to www.targetsafety.com/grant. Online applications must be submitted no later than November 30, 2008. TargetSafety and the VCOS will review all applications and notify grant winners by December 31. The program runs through June 30, 2009.
“As a partner of the VCOS and the IAFC, and a provider of online firefighter training since 1999, TargetSafety is absolutely committed to the men and women of the fire service,” said Kyle Kaechele, Managing Director, PreventionLink Services. “Through this program, we can help firefighters receive the instruction they need. We can also help training officers and fire chiefs easily document this training and other required compliance tasks.”
For more information about the grant, please contact TargetSafety directly at 877.944.6372 or firegrant@targetsafety.com.
Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
http://www.richgasaway.com/
This is a reminder that November 30 is the last day to apply for a grant for online training. TargetSafety, a VCOS partner and supporter, has established that as the final date when U.S. volunteer and combination fire departments can apply for their $1.5 million online training grant.
Almost 200 applications have already been received from departments located in 45 different states. Among the states with the highest number of grant submissions are Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, North Carolina and Texas followed closely by Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts and Montana.
“Last year, TargetSafety and the VCOS awarded $1 million in grant funding to volunteer and combination departments across the U.S.,” said Chief Timothy S. Wall, VCOS chair. “With an additional half million dollars in funding this year, we hope to reach even more departments, providing a greater number of firefighters with the training necessary to do their jobs safely and efficiently.”
Those awarded the grant will receive six months of free access to TargetSafety’s PreventionLink™ online training and records management platform. The platform includes 15 hours of essential firefighter training from a choice of NFPA-approved fire curriculum, EMS continuing education, OSHA, human resources and general safety courses. Grant winners will also receive web-based tools for assigning, tracking and recording all online and instructor-led training as well as documenting inspections, policy reviews and other compliance-related tasks.
Volunteer and combination fire departments interested in applying for the grant can go to www.targetsafety.com/grant. Online applications must be submitted no later than November 30, 2008. TargetSafety and the VCOS will review all applications and notify grant winners by December 31. The program runs through June 30, 2009.
“As a partner of the VCOS and the IAFC, and a provider of online firefighter training since 1999, TargetSafety is absolutely committed to the men and women of the fire service,” said Kyle Kaechele, Managing Director, PreventionLink Services. “Through this program, we can help firefighters receive the instruction they need. We can also help training officers and fire chiefs easily document this training and other required compliance tasks.”
For more information about the grant, please contact TargetSafety directly at 877.944.6372 or firegrant@targetsafety.com.
Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
http://www.richgasaway.com/
Monday, November 3, 2008
Economic Opportunities
Unless you are living under a rock, you know we are experiencing tough times. High energy costs, home foreclosures, corporate and financial industry failures, stock market downturns... it all seems like bad news. But in this bad news, there may be opportunity.
As cities begin to feel the strain of these difficult economic times, so will the fire department. For example, I believe many fire departments will be asked to take budget cuts, to reduce staffing, to cut services, downsize training, and more.
When this happens, you will be at a crossroads. You can go down the path of slash and burn, painful cuts and reduced service. Or, alternatively, you can look for new and creative ways to ensure your customer continues to get great service.
Look at the way you provide services. Do you send a full response assignment to every alarm drop? Maybe you don't have to do that. Do you bring every member in from home for every call for service? Maybe you don't have to do that. Is your department surrounded by other communities who duplicates every service you provide? Maybe it's time to strike up some regional cooperation. Or... dare I say it... mergers and consolidations. When you eliminate the duplication of services, money is saved. Money that can be put toward ensuring the residents receive the same, or improved levels of care during difficult economic times.
These challenging economic times are going to require changes in the way you do business. Do you want to be pushed and forced to change? Or do you want to be proactive and a leader of change? The time to decide is now... because the forces of change are already set in motion.
Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
http://www.richgasaway.com/
As cities begin to feel the strain of these difficult economic times, so will the fire department. For example, I believe many fire departments will be asked to take budget cuts, to reduce staffing, to cut services, downsize training, and more.
When this happens, you will be at a crossroads. You can go down the path of slash and burn, painful cuts and reduced service. Or, alternatively, you can look for new and creative ways to ensure your customer continues to get great service.
Look at the way you provide services. Do you send a full response assignment to every alarm drop? Maybe you don't have to do that. Do you bring every member in from home for every call for service? Maybe you don't have to do that. Is your department surrounded by other communities who duplicates every service you provide? Maybe it's time to strike up some regional cooperation. Or... dare I say it... mergers and consolidations. When you eliminate the duplication of services, money is saved. Money that can be put toward ensuring the residents receive the same, or improved levels of care during difficult economic times.
These challenging economic times are going to require changes in the way you do business. Do you want to be pushed and forced to change? Or do you want to be proactive and a leader of change? The time to decide is now... because the forces of change are already set in motion.
Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
http://www.richgasaway.com/
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