Page 33 - InCommand Volume 31

Staffing has always been an issue of contention within the fire service. Specifically, NFPA 1710 has raised just as many issues as it has attempted
to address. What are your views on minimum staffing requirements, resource deployment standards, and a “one size fits all” approach?
Kahan - I strongly believe in minimum staffing. It helps ensure safety for our crews and our community. It sets a department standard that we can follow for proper deployment of personnel and apparatus to mitigate multiple types
of emergencies. I do not believe in a “one size fits all” approach to minimum staffing. Each jurisdiction has different needs based on size, demographics, run volume and multiple other factors. It
is incumbent upon administration and management to set minimum staffing at safe and effective levels.
Morris - A one size fits all approach
is not adequate in todays’ fire service. Each community offers different demographics both architecturally and culturally requiring different approaches and staffing requirements. More than anything though has been the shift of the fire service towards EMS and transport. More often than not staff are involved
in emergency medical services depleting the necessary numbers needed to safely engage fire operations.
Szafarowicz - I believe there is a place for NFPA, but reality and budgets tend to dictate staffing more so than NFPA during these times.
Does your department have a formal long-range strategic plan? (i.e. capital improvement, apparatus replacement, staffing, etc.). If so, is this plan integrated with your local government’s overall strategic plan? Has a funding mechanism been identified for plan implementation?
Szafarowicz - We do like to have a long-term plan in place. There is always that “GOAL” to reach for the 5, 10, or 15-year mark. Just like everything else, being a levy-based department, we need to be able to adapt that plan as needed.
How have legislation and professional standards impacted the manner in which you administer your department and the services provided to the public?
Szafarowicz - We need to always keep in mind that every response is a “customer”. Not just during a levy year,
but always. Professional standards are what keeps the Fire Dept in a good light to the public. The customer is why we are all here.
How have current economic times impacted your department? Are you doing things differently today because of the economy?
Szafarowicz - Economic times are always the interesting topic. During these times of the pandemic, changes are made daily. We have increased costs of PPE and Decon equipment as well as an escalating overtime cost. We always do our best
to keep our operating costs down for
the public but in these trying times it’s difficult to do.
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JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 • www.ohiofirechiefs.org I n C o m m a n d 33
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