Public Safety Workforce Blogs

Why Firefighter Leaders Should Focus on Health and Wellness

Posted by Jackie Belasky

Sep 7, 2022 3:54:46 PM

In 2021, 57% of firefighter fatalities caused by illness or injury were the result of stress, overexertion, or medical issues. This is an alarming number, especially considering the dangerous nature of a firefighter’s work. That's why behavioral health, physical fitness, and peer support should be a priority for firefighter leaders. Making health of your firefighters your first priority will help them more effectively serve others as well as improve their own lives. 

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Topics: Fire Chief, Fire, Firefighters

Are Your Off-Duty Policies Putting Your Agency at Risk?

Posted by Jackie Belasky

Jul 5, 2022 10:32:11 AM

Public safety agencies nationwide are constantly looking for ways to improve the efficiency, fairness, and safety of their scheduling policies. Adding off-duty programs not only increases scheduling complexities, but also adds risks and potential liability. It’s imperative to have well defined, enforceable polices in place to help mitigate these risks.

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Topics: Scheduling, Law Enforcement, Firefighters

4 Performance Metrics Fire Chiefs Should Be Monitoring

Posted by Jackie Belasky

Aug 16, 2021 6:39:59 PM

Firefighters don’t just put out fires anymore. Today, they provide vital support in medical emergencies, public safety, rescue efforts, disposition of hazardous materials, and active shooter/hostile events responses as well as perform fire inspections, community training, and much more.

With all of these responsibilities, it’s important to record and monitor fire department data. Fire service data analytics can help fire chiefs and firefighters more effectively save lives, protect property, and safeguard their communities. Here are four performance metrics that fire chiefs should be monitoring.

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Topics: Fire Chief, Firefighters, Analytics

6 Steps Fire/EMS Can Take with Fewer Volunteers During COVID-19

Posted by Jackie Belasky

Sep 24, 2020 10:55:11 AM

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on first responders. Not only has it created a new normal that’s changed the way fire and EMS agencies operate, but it’s also left agencies short on volunteers as people take time off to quarantine or recover from illness. Many past volunteers are now unavailable: some are caring for sick family members; some are minimizing exposure to protect their health or that of loved ones who are at higher risk; and some have full-time jobs that currently prohibit them from doing volunteer work in order to minimize the exposure of other staff members. In the face of the volunteer shortage, what can agencies do to ensure they continue meeting public safety needs? 

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Topics: Workforce Management, EMS, Firefighters, COVID-19

Evolving Technology for Public Safety’s Unprecedented Scheduling Needs

Posted by Jackie Belasky

Sep 2, 2020 6:14:40 PM

In a year of on-the-job dangers posed by a viral pandemic and civil unrest, public safety agencies nationwide are going through massive change. With officers, firefighters and EMS personnel working in extremely volatile situations, many agencies have the added stress of staffing shortages. Some vacancies are caused by the fatigue of managing civil acts of violence. Others are due to employees testing positive for or being exposed to COVID-19.

The inability to back fill vacancies with qualified personnel and equipment is not an option. Scheduling and managing a workforce with these concerns in mind is tough using Excel spreadsheets. Many agencies have adjusted their practices and are relying on technology to effectively manage the safety of their personnel.

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Topics: Workforce Management, Scheduling, EMS, Firefighters, Analytics, COVID-19

Preparing Fire & Rescue for the Workforce Challenges Ahead

Posted by Jackie Belasky

Aug 14, 2020 12:37:51 PM

 

When emergency situations strike, the world relies on first responders to help. But what happens when the Fire and Rescue workforce is adapting to the unknown? Global issues like the COVID-19 pandemic have shone a light on workforce challenges that won't be going away anytime soon.  It's crucial to understand what to look for and how to plan for the road ahead. 

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Topics: Workforce Management, Scheduling, EMS, Firefighters, Analytics, COVID-19

Instilling, developing and monitoring professionalism in firefighter crews [Video]

Posted by Jackie Belasky

May 29, 2019 10:07:54 AM

Officers within fire departments should have high expectations of professionalism and responsibility from the members of their crews. Setting and maintaining these standards can help personnel individually and assist the department in protecting its community.

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Topics: Firefighters

Disaster countermeasures involve mass EMS cooperation [Video]

Posted by Jackie Belasky

Apr 22, 2019 11:08:33 AM

When a natural disaster strikes, it's common for first responders to cooperate with personnel from other departments, rushing aid to where it's most needed. For example, the recent response to Hurricane Florence drew specialized assistance from EMS crews from up and down the East Coast.

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Topics: EMS, Police, Firefighters

New Response Strategies Prepare EMS for Active Shooter Incidents [Video]

Posted by Jackie Belasky

Oct 29, 2018 2:52:51 PM

The role of emergency medical professionals in active shooter incidents is critical - but also dangerous. The National Fire Protection Association recently unveiled a nationwide standard to help all first responders safely execute their roles in such a situation.

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Topics: EMS, Police, Firefighters

Incident Action Plans Help Firefighters Battle Forest Fires [Video]

Posted by Jackie Belasky

Oct 15, 2018 11:57:56 AM

Fighting forest fires is a dangerous but essential part of firefighting in rural areas. When departments prepare and set high-level strategic guidelines, they can improve their effectiveness at battling the blazes and improve the chances that everyone gets back safely.

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Topics: Firefighters