It's important to never forget the major contributions dispatchers make to emergency response efforts, despite the fact that they remain behind the scenes. The pressure and trauma of public safety work have a powerful effect on these professionals.

When fire departments are faced with more demand than they can handle, the answer may lie in creating new positions that cover high-need shifts as required. These "floaters" can help response times and cut down on the need for mutual aid calls.

Hiring firefighters will always be a challenge due to the unconventional hours and specific skills needed. This task can be even more complex for volunteer fire departments. However, a few promising strategies can ease the strain a little.