Episode 1218: Professional Volunteer Fire Service

When headlines appear featuring stories about volunteer firefighters embezzling funds from their fire department, it definitely hurts the professional reputation we work so hard to earn.

Today, public safety agencies can no longer financially manage their operations with a checkbook and a pen. State and Federal requirements, in addition to insurance requirements now place more responsibilities on agency leaders to manage their volunteer fire and EMS organizations like a business.

Tonight’s show will discuss financial reporting requirements and best practices for managing fire and EMS agency financial systems. My guest will be Dr. William William F. Jenaway, Vice President of VFIS Education, Training and Consulting Services; as well as President of the Board of Directors of the Congressional Fire Services Institute. We will focus on preventing theft in our volunteer firehouses and Dr. Jenaway will outline many important steps that should be implemented by the professional volunteer fire department to safeguard the department’s treasury and maintain accountability by department leaders.

Examining issues and challenges faced by the volunteer firefighter today.  Being a professional firefighter has nothing to do with earning a paycheck but has everything to do with attitude, appearance, commitment and dedication. Hosted by Tom Merrill.