Agenda - Council - 08/13/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ramsey, Nowthen, St. Francis, Oak Grove, and Bethel, Minnesota Feasibility Study for Shared or Cooperative Fire and Emergency Services research articles have been published over the past decade in an attempt to assist volunteer and combination departments in addressing the issue of declining numbers of volunteer or POC personnel. One such study, conducted by the National Volunteer Fire Council, offered an extensive list of statistics and suggestions focusing on the following issues: • What makes members want to volunteer? • What keeps volunteers serving? • What makes your members leave your organization? The study evaluated these questions and offered a vast array of information but little in the way of solid suggestions on how to address these issues. In the upper Midwestern United States, including Minnesota, volunteer rates are somewhat higher than the national averages. The 2010 rate of volunteerism in the upper Midwest was estimated at 30.7 percent overall compared to 26.3 nationally. Subsequently, civic volunteerism, of which public safety is a part, only accounted for 5.9 percent of the total volunteerism rate in 2010. Statistics specific to the state of Minnesota indicate that only 22.7 percent of males volunteer, compared to 30.1 percent of females, and the age range with the highest volunteerism was the 45 to 54 years of age bracket at 41,7 percent for the 2008 to 2010 period. Not dissimilar to the upper Midwest regional statistics, only 7.1 percent of volunteerism is attributed to civic organizations, including fire departments; however, those opportunities labeled 'intensive' within Minnesota, such as fire departments, saw a lower rate of volunteerism than nationally, 29.6 percent to 33.8 percent, respectively. 4 With a shift in demographics throughout the United States, the groups that emergency services agencies have relied upon for decades are no longer available or no longer have the desire to volunteer. As shown from the statistics noted above, public safety organizations, including fire departments, must be willing to thoroughly evaluate the demographics of their communities and then to take an in-depth look at the organization to identify what they have to offer as well as incentives that could be implemented and/or improved. Based on the report issued by the National Volunteer Fire Council, in general, individuals are willing to volunteer when: • The experience is rewarding and worth their time • The training requirements are not excessive 4 Ibid. me rgenry Semi ors C'n 0%11 i6; ng page 45