Firefighter burnout and how best to avoid this

As part of its commitment to serve, the Volunteer Firefighter Alliance always looks for ways to bring in more volunteers, as well as to keep them in the service. One of the most pressing issues in firefighting today is firefighter burnout, which truly accounts for the dwindling number of firefighters that the community needs more and more today.

Here are a number of ways that this can be addressed:

1. Respect for time

Even for firefighters who enter the service by way of volunteerism, time is valuable. These people have lives, too, and this needs to be respected. For instance, if they are scheduled for a certain training session that is set at 6:30am and it starts at 7, they are not being done any justice, notes the Volunteer Firefighter Alliance. Having non-emergency activities, such as meetings and trainings on multiple days during a single week, does not help their cause either, especially when they have to run late and risk disappointing a loved one at home.

2. Family involvement

Fire departments will benefit hugely when they consider involving the families of their volunteers. The responsibilities of a volunteer are quite heavy and can be demanding of time and energy. With the support of family members, the volunteer can find comfort, even when the going gets tough. Family support has proven to be very effective in counteracting negative attitudes towards the job.

3. Ask and listen

Sometimes, the only thing in the way of a volunteer’s meaningful service has to do with communication challenges between him and the fire department. Asking and listening is key to keeping a clear level of understanding between the two parties, which allows the volunteer to appreciate what he does and the position he is in. This way, the chances of attrition or burnout are decreased significantly.

The Volunteer Firefighter Alliance is a national organization that helps local Volunteer Fire Departments everywhere through its four programs: Firefighter Recruitment, Fire Prevention. Crisis Support Helpline, and National Firefighter Appreciation Campaign. For more related reading, please visit this page.