Firefighting is a tough job, both physically and mentally. As reported, unemployment rates are the lowest they’ve been in decades, meaning there are fewer people looking for new jobs. Those who are left in the department can be doing jobs meant for two or even three people, working days on end without a break; this added workload means additional stress and strain on the firefighters. While fewer people are seeking it out as a full-time profession, volunteering as a firefighter isn’t as accessible as it used to be, either.
Requirements have gotten stricter over the years. Training is challenging and time-consuming, and many people simply aren’t able to be on call for emergencies. Between jobs, commuting, and taking care of their families, they don’t have a lot of extra time for volunteer service.
Many departments have had to scale back the scope of their services. Response times get slower, and the community suffers those consequences. This firefighter shortage is a problem for a lot of reasons—both for firefighters themselves and the people they serve.
Challenges of Lean Crews on Scene
There should be a minimum of four crew members, as safety concerns grow when there are only two or three The first crew on the scene may only have three people—sometimes only two. This is especially common in volunteer departments; in other departments, it’s generally the result of an attempt to save money, but it has its own price. One study showed that a four-person crew can “…complete 22 essential firefighting and rescue tasks in a typical residential structure 30 percent faster than two-person crews and 25 percent faster than three-person crews.” That’s an incredible amount of damage and devastation that could be prevented with just one or two extra people on the scene.
In short, a larger crew creates a safer scene—no surprise there. The spokesperson for the International Association of Firefighters quoted as saying there should be a minimum of four crew members, as safety concerns grow when there are only two or three, but when four is simply not possible, what can be done?
SAM Can Maximize Effectiveness with a Small Crew
With smaller crews and less available volunteers, resourceful fire departments find innovative ways to maximize their time in the first five minutes of a fire scene. The right fire truck pump controls can help with both. Take a look at SAM.
SAM takes complex pump operations—something that traditionally requires the full attention of a valuable crew member—and makes them simple, freeing up crew members to perform other tasks. So simple, in fact, that the firefighter can access water and set the pressure with just a few swipes on a screen. That crew member is then free to turn his or her attention to the emergency situation.
About SAM
SAM is an integrated total water control system that manages the truck’s pump, tank, intakes, and discharges SAM is an integrated total water control system that manages the truck’s pump, tank, intakes, and discharges. The SAM system replaces the pressure governor and takes care of opening and closing valves based on operator settings. Now one can have all the pump controls in a 10″ touch-screen display.
The system is essentially like having another firefighter assisting on the scene. Knowledgeable pump operators are vital to effective operations and contribute to the fire scene. However, when situations demand more out of every second, SAM can help:
- SAM is easy to learn and use, cutting down on user error in the case of an inexperienced pump operator, missed communications, or distractions.
- SAM automatically opens the pump and charges the line to the set pressure.
- SAM transitions easily between water sources to diminish the risk of losing water flow.
- SAM adjusts the engine speed and valve position to avoid over-pressurization, saving the time you would lose with re-balancing the pressure in a traditional system.
- SAM’s automated systems help avoid unnecessary radio communication, some of which can be misheard or misunderstood.
- SAM gives warnings if there’s any concern about water level or the hydrant supply, to correct the issue before it becomes the type of problem you experience today with traditional pump systems.
- You can control the system from a wireless tablet, enabling you to keep an eye on the scene and pump from a safe place.
Attract New Recruits
People expect high-tech in the workplace these days, and new recruits are already familiar with the latest tech State incentives like tax breaks and small retirement payouts for volunteers may help, as does providing the expensive safety gear (via grants or donations) rather than asking volunteers to pay for it themselves.
One recruiter admits it’s an ongoing process—you have to always be recruiting. SAM helps attract and retain firefighters in two ways:
- Attract Recruits with Technology: People expect high-tech in the workplace these days, and new recruits are already familiar with touch screens, automation, and more. They have less mechanical experience than previous generations. It’s great for recruits to see this type of technology, especially where they might not be expecting it.
- Improve Training: SAM is an intuitive, easy-to-use system, which makes for a faster training process. Confidence builds more quickly as new recruits learn how to do their jobs and they can get to work sooner. Take it from the Lewiston Fire Department, a crew who has had great success with SAM.
Giving crew members the tools they need to best do their jobs is a great way to bring more people to the department. When anyone is looking for a new job or even a volunteer position, they consider the work/life balance and the benefits of working there.
When one can show you’re making a tough job as easy as possible, it makes the work more appealing. In any profession, a lack of resources leads to low morale and high turnover.
