State-of-the-industry insights
The What Firefighters Want project calls on all active firefighters to share their opinions and insights through FireRescue1’s comprehensive survey that goes beyond statistical exercise to serve as a platform for firefighters to voice their concerns, aspirations and ideas for evolution within the profession. The What Firefighters Want project is supported by the International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).
FEATURED CONTENT
The What Firefighters Want in 2023 special coverage series explores the root of firefighters’ stress, the impact of staffing challenges, how supervisor stress affects the entire crew, guidance for managing personal and professional stress, information about recruitment and retention solutions, insights into how stress affects the family unit, and much more to help firefighters and officers alike navigate the perfect storm of stress.
From family outreach to increased counseling access and more understanding from supervisors, firefighters are looking to leadership to step up in this area
Amid stress and staffing challenges, firefighters still love the job – and encourage others to join the ranks
While some firefighters are taking proactive steps to minimize the impact of stress, many others are caught in a vicious cycle of harmful behavior
Firefighters are reporting crushing staffing challenges and increased stress
While some departments are reevaluating their fitness and education requirements, among others, most have changed nothing
Most agencies rely heavily on social media, career fairs and youth programs
Fire families often bear an unacknowledged burden of stress rooted in staffing challenges
Firefighters speak up about how fire departments can better manage the staffing crisis to reduce stress levels
Fire departments can help members by providing comprehensive wellness services
When does the expanded scope of work reach a tipping point, requiring a new staffing model?
Is your IC truly prepared, ready and able to execute on the fireground?
Professional development for the incident commander starts at the firefighter rank and continues up the training ladder
Despite strong scores, there is much work to be done to build effective fireground command skills
During wildfire season and throughout the year, FirstNet ensures communications and connection to critical systems are reliable when they matter most
ICs enjoy the confidence of firefighters during a mayday, but what is the basis for that faith?
Download your copy to unpack the survey results related to incident command training, mayday management, and successes and failures in focus
Survey respondents resoundingly recommend a career in the fire service – a vital stat amid growing recruitment challenges
Given all the research into decision-making under duress, it’s vital that ICs have a command tool at the ready
Unpacking the command-focused survey results and how ICs can level up their skills through training and operations
Now is the time for us to start thinking of command as a multi-person staffed function, just like we staff our other units
Several themes emerged among the thousands of comments from the What Firefighters Want survey respondents
2023 SPECIAL COVERAGE HIGHLIGHTS
STAFFING, STRESS AND HEALTH
Reiki holds the potential to unlock new avenues of healing and self-discovery, offering relief from physical discomfort and emotional tension
DIY first aid kits can be lower cost, more compact and disposable; these quick medic kits are simple to build and carry on every apparatus
Learn how a service dog helps a wildland firefighter and EMT manage her anxiety, interrupt nightmares and perform deep-pressure therapy
The Florida fire department’s targeted approach to mental health has resulted in lower turnover rate and enhanced recruitment efforts
With an increased risk of developing skin cancer, firefighters should follow simple steps to avoid sunburn
Detailing how CAFS helps reduce exposure to chemicals, chemical compounds, and carcinogens during interior structural firefighting
SPECIAL REPORTS
About the Sponsor: ImageTrend
ImageTrend is dedicated to connecting life’s most important data in the fire, EMS, hospital and emergency/disaster preparedness industries. The company delivers software solutions such as ImageTrend Elite™, Continuum®, Health Information Hub™, Patient Registry™ and Resource Bridge™ to enable fully integrated patient-centric healthcare and public safety. ImageTrend’s commitment to innovation, its clients, and providing world-class implementation and support is unsurpassed.