COVID-19: Challenges Facing Volunteer Fire Departments

05/01/20 • 32 min

While COVID-19 continues to impact all fire and emergency service agencies, it presents unique challenges for volunteer fire departments, especially when it comes to staffing, equipment, training, and finances. In this latest installment, Chief Kevin Cooney, South Windsor (CT) Fire Department, and Deputy Chief Edward Rush, Elmsford (NY) Volunteer Fire Department join us to discuss: Operational and staffing challengesThe impact on budgets and fundraising activitiesRecruitment and retentionLessons learned and how to apply those moving forwardStrategies for economic recovery Visit the IAFC's COVID-19 Resources website for additional podcasts and webinars. Sponsored by: Change Healthcare

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COVID-19 Lessons from the Streets: FDNY

Fire and EMS personnel are confronting first-hand the impacts of COVID-19 every day. In addition to providing response and care to those impacted by the virus, these responders also are dealing with the challenges of ensuring their own health and safety and those of their crews. In this episode, we're joined by Chief of Special Operations John Esposito with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). New York has been the epicenter for COVID-19 and Chief Esposito shares the unique perspective of dealing with the pandemic on a mass scale and lessons learned that can help other communities and departments. Visit the IAFC COVID-19 Resources website for additional podcasts and webinars.

Next Episode

COVID-19: Economic Impacts on the Fire and Emergency Service

The economic impact from COVID-19 will be with us for some time. Chief Steve Pegram, Goshen (OH) discusses the work of the IAFC's Economic Task Force to support fire and emergency organizations navigate through these rocky waters. He's joined by Denton (TX) City Manager Todd Hileman who shares short term measures and long term strategies to address the financial fallout and how his city is dealing with the economic challenges and its impact on public safety. Sponsored by: Change Healthcare