Following is information from a Fairplay Volunteer Fire Department comprehensive plan dated Nov. 30, 2012. The cover says the plan is for reactivation and response to task force Oct. 15, 2012 draft recommendations.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Department is to provide emergency protection of life, property and the environment. We will also support the community with a reasonable cost facility to rejoice and celebrate our lives with family and friends. We will achieve this by providing fire and rescue services, educating our citizens and by providing an adequate facility in which to operate.
Operational plan and guidelines
Daily Emergency Personnel Plan — After resuming operations we shall establish a Duty Officer Program. This officer will ensure there is available staffing each day. The program will be directed by the Chief and he will create a scheduling duty roster that will identify the on-duty staffing. This should insure someone will answer our emergency calls.
Qualifications for drivers — A Qualified Driver shall meet the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association Standards as follows:
Firefighter I or Protective Envelope & Foam
HazMat Operations
Fires Responder/EMT-B
CPR
EVOC
Pump Operations
Blood Born Pathogens
Compliant Physical of Washington County
We have determined that we will need to utilize paid personnel as Drivers. We believe our Department has budgeted sufficient funds to meet this need. The Department will use, as a template, the other seven paid staffed Washington County Fire Department’s programs. Also, we will, with the assistance of the MSFA, apply for a Safer Grant for funds to pay said personnel.
Prior to our suspension, we established a career program similar to other departments in the County and approved by the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association’s Executive Committee. Our required insurance and payroll accounting were put into place at that time.
The daily responsibilities of the career staff shall include, but not be limited to, responding to our calls; a daily check of equipment and apparatus; a daily check of the building and its systems; completion of all required maintenance; completion of all required duties; and any other assignments as directed by the Chief.
New operational members
Assign a mentor to new members to assist them in understanding the rules, regulations and required training. Also to introduce them to fellow members, help them with training and preparing for tests. The mentors will further assist new members with keeping open lines of communications in order to facilitate a seamless integration into the membership of the Department and deal with any concerns that may arise.
New members shall complete certification of the following:
Meet required Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association Standards such as:
(a) Firefighter I
(b) CPR
(c) HazMat Ops
(d) First Responder or EMT
(e) Complete pre-ride training
A new member file will be created for training and all general information. The training officer will track each member’s training. He/she will follow up and keep the member on track to complete training in a timely manner and report to the Chief.
It is the member’s responsibility to provide any changes or new information regarding their membership in the Department. The member must be responsible to obtain recertification before the expiration of current certification(s). The training officer will support the member and track their progress in keeping all required standards current and he/she will report same to the Chief.
Annual refresher recertification of drivers to include driving, pumps, accountability and other requirements as set forth by the Chief must be completed each year.
Recruitment and retention
Grants — Department will apply for Safer Grants to complete much of the following. The MSFA grant writers will assist with writing the grant application.
Back room — We have a large space that could be remodeled into bunkrooms, kitchen with eating area, lounge and bathrooms. This area would work well for live-in firefighters when remodeled.
Local colleges — We will contact the admissions office and offer free residential housing for students if they meet required in-station duty hours per week. ... We will develop a contract and work through the process to bring the idea to fruition. We will ask the MSFA and Washington County associations to expedite any needed training.
Safer grant — There are tuition grants available for students who live at the fire department.
Local high schools — We will contact the schools, explaining our free residential housing program. This may help students should they attend a local college. We will offer to help with training and placement in our program. This effort may help students to be accepted at the college of their choice. We will also ask the MSFA and Washington County associations to help train these students.
Open house — We will have open houses to show off our Department and the benefits of supporting it.
Firefighter retention incentives
Firefighters who meet their monthly duty roster assignments will be given two tickets for dinner and a movie.
We will give out hats and T-shirts for jobs well done.
We will recommence Junior and Cadet Programs.
There will be a monthly meeting recognition.
We will review for family and friends visiting the Department if Member is available to answer calls.
We will also offer awards for completing training in a timely fashion.
The President will offer dinners and other rewards for answering calls.
The President will have regular round-table meeting, with food and drink, with firefighters to hear comments.
Rationale for paid daytime staffing
Washington County Department of Emergency Services statistics show that the fail rate during daytime hours was most critical and left our community vulnerable with fire and medical emergencies. As a result, it would be in the best interests of the community to staff the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Department with a paid career staff person minimally from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or as deemed necessary by the Department.
