Focus on Rural Volunteers

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) created the “Rural and Volunteer Fire Department Resources” web page in December 2008 to address the unique realities that face Emergency Services Sector (ESS) departments and agencies in rural America. Some of the realities covered include large, minimally populated areas to protect, changing staff levels, water supply challenges, and a lack of population to provide a revenue or tax base to support emergency services. The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) acknowledges these circumstances can affect operational effectiveness and continuity.

To support rural responders and volunteer departments, USFA amassed numerous target-audience-specific resources such as statistics, reports, programs, publications, and training opportunities, on topics regarding hazardous materials, prevention and safety, recruitment and retention, and health and safety. The resources and links for rural and volunteer organizations can be accessed at www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/subjects/rural/index.shtm.

Also targeted to volunteer and rural responders is the February 2009 “Health and Wellness Guide for the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services,” prepared by the USFA in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). Originally released in 1992, USFA periodically revises the guide. In the 2003 update, volunteer departments identified insufficient funding, lack of well-defined requirements, and the inability to keep members motivated as barriers to implementing comprehensive programs. The 2009 guide demonstrates ways to overcome these obstacles, and provides direction for developing and implementing a department program. The EMR-ISAC notes that it particularly highlights examples of existing health and wellness programs, and how they have maintained their success over time.

In addition to new information on health and wellness issues, trends, and programs, the guide offers the most current information on how volunteer fire departments can enhance compliance with appropriate National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) firefighter health and safety standards such as NFPA 1583, “Health Related Fitness Programs for Fire Fighters.” “This partnership to improve the health and wellness of the volunteer fire service will support reducing the primary cause of on-duty deaths in the volunteer fire service—heart attack and stress,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Dr. Denis Onieal. "Effective health and wellness programs will also be expected to contribute to operational effectiveness of volunteer fire departments as well as serve as a valuable retention and recruitment instrument.” To view and download the guide, visit http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_321.pdf. (2.4MB, 67 pages)