Volunteer Study Committee Minutes
Date: July 21, 2014 Time: 07:01 Place: Meeting House
APPROVED
Attendance –
(P ) David Bridgewater – newer member of the GFD
(A ) Jim Conway – Past Chief of the GFD
(P ) Kristine Hall – Past officer of the GFD
(EXC ) Paul Haut-Renaud – Past member of the GFD
(P ) Lee Leblanc – member of the GIVers
(P ) Bob Marshall – Planning Board Chairperson
(P ) Jim Murphy – Deputy Rescue Chief of the GFD
(P ) Glen Roberge – Police Officer of the GPD
(P ) Loren White – Fire Chief of the GFD
(P ) Margo Charig Bliss - BOS Liaison
(A ) Deb Davidson - BOS informational
(A ) Deb Davidson - BOS informational
(P ) Karen Day - BOS informational
(P ) Guests - Jim Plourde – Past GFD Chief, Mike Borden – Code Enf. Officer, Jeff Rychwa – Newest
member of GFD, Fire Chiefs and guests from Bennington, Lyndeborough, Francestown and
Lyndeborough Fire Departments.
Assistant Chairman Bob Marshall opened the meeting welcoming everyone and introducing our guest speaker, Jim Grant who provided a PowerPoint presentation on “The Decline of Volunteerism in the Fire Service” with hand-outs for all.
The following is a summation of his presentation;
Jim’s opening statement indicated that this is a nationwide crisis and offered explanations such as lack of time, family demands, employment issues, culture of fire department, society factors and generational differences. All of which make a “Complex Universal Trend” culminating in a sort of “Perfect Storm” that collectively exist “due to outside forces beyond our control”
“Of all volunteer activities, the fire service is the single most demanding of one’s time!”
Consider, Employment issues, “BUS” Issues, 2nd job mentality, Firehouse Culture, Building a Cohesive Team, Political Correctness, Me, Me, Me generation, “Microwave” Generation, Generational Cohorts, Assumption of Entitlement, Non-Joiners Conundrum, Attitude of Gratitude.
Consider short-term recruitment ideas, near future recruitment ideas and long-term recruitment and retention ideas.
Understanding mindset (21st century), What is Grit? Google - Grit Test, Grit Habits.
Changing the Nature of the Fire Service – More exciting, element of danger, boys club, that’s the way it was, that’s the way it is, missing life’s experiences of older generations.
Jim suggested that our success could be a model for others as this continues to be an ongoing national issue and that any resolve will likely consist of an array of things to possibly concern regionalization and or a change in mutual aid assistance.
In closing, Jim suggested that everyone Google “decline in volunteer firefighters” for more examples of the issue. He fielded a couple of questions and comments followed by a round of applause.
8:35 Chairman Glenn Roberge thanked everyone for attending and asked all the committee members to stay for a brief meeting after a 10 minute recess.
8:45 we reconvened, Glenn apologized for last months meeting not being held due to his not being aware that we are required to publicly notice our scheduled meetings.
Glenn handed-out a list of members and their contact information for everyone to review and verify, as well as request for permission to use. A couple of corrections were noted.
We reviewed a questionnaire that was retrieved from the Pennsylvania State Fire Service. It was provided to AA Aaron Patt for review. Aaron sent it to the NH State Fire Academy for review and asked if they would insure that it was applicable to the NH Fire Service. Some minor edits were made to terminology and distinguished it to reflect Fire and EMS personnel where applicable. This will be the questionnaire that goes out to all present members and those of the last 3 years.
Next we discussed approaching local businesses for allowing their staff to respond to Fire & EMS emergencies from work. Margo Charig offered to craft a letter for consideration at next month meeting. We discussed inviting local employers to our October meeting for discussion on the topic.
Paul Haupt-Renaud in his absence requested via the chairman the addresses of the past and current members to which Loren indicated that the info available had already been provided. Loren will re-send to Paul and the Chairperson. Loren also indicated that some past members have relocated without forwarding addresses. Jim Murphy said he could assist using records he has from past members.
Karen Day asked about putting a submission in the Greenfield Spirit this month ASAP. Glenn indicated he felt it would be better to wait for the next issue when we would have more progress to share.
Kristine H. inquired about copies of research done by Lee LeBlanc’s brother not having been received. Loren apologized as he had scanned them at work for distribution and overlooked their release.
David Bridgewater indicated that he had not received the minutes from the last meeting. Loren indicated that the May meeting minutes had not been approved and that he would send them out as a “DRAFT”.
Our next meeting is scheduled and publicly posted for 7-PM, August 19th, at the Fire Station.
Respectfully Submitted, Loren D. White Committee Secretary
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