As June and July came and went this year, I looked forward to a trip in August that was on my calendar for nearly five years. It was the chance to meet in Racine, WI, for a few long but inspiring days with chiefs, innovators, federal officials and heads of organizations, all of whom are dedicated to examining the future of the fire service, just as I first did at Wingspread VII in August 2021.
The 2021 event was eye opening. It brought together a think tank that explored the effects of COVID-19 on the U.S. fire service, from preparedness for the pandemic to becoming all-hazard agencies, increased EMS duties, changes in training and the historic decline in the people interested in joining, or staying, in the fire service.
At Wingspread VIII, I was reminded that the fire service has never been short on challenges, but the demands on today’s leaders and firefighters have created an increasingly complex environment. Staffing shortages continue to tax departments, not only volunteer agencies but, increasingly, career organizations, too. In addition, financial pressures and emerging technologies were a discussion point in every breakout. However, the health and safety of personnel continued to be top of mind.
The adage that I learned in photography—”Your work is only as good your last photo”—now rings true in public safety, because fire departments are having to “prove their value.” Saving a cardiac arrest victim or a resident from a house fire or containing a bedroom fire before it destroys a couple’s most expensive investment isn’t enough for some. Sadly, members can run at 200 mph one day and 120 mph the next, yet they’re asked to “show” their value to people who have yet to call 9-1-1.
Fire departments continue to take over failing EMS services, to step up when local health and human services are shuttered amid budget cuts, and to support national disasters even while they try to fund their next local response. They require additional staffing, training and resources, and that means that they can’t continue to accept every new responsibility without understanding its consequences, particularly on the members.
The rollout of myriad technologies that exploded like wildfire during the pandemic continues and expands each year. Yes, tremendous value is found in many platforms and services, but they raise a whole new set of questions, including in regard to reliability and data ownership, concerns over affordability and the need for interoperability.
Perhaps no issue is more important than the health and safety of firefighters, and ongoing research presents more evidence that communities must invest more resources and funding into those who respond each day. The job (whether career or volunteer) takes a real toll on members. Across the spectrum, departments must invest in comprehensive wellness programs that begin before members enter the fire service and that continue after their last response.
Part of an organization’s health is placing the right people on the roster. Over the past few years, departments saw record challenges with recruitment and retention of the right people. The workforce culture is changing, and the lack of long-term commitments poses difficulties that rarely were encountered in the past.
One of the solutions that fire chiefs can explore is developing partnerships within their community. During Wingspread VIII, for the first time, partners in law enforcement shared their predicaments, which opened doors for collaboration and for building relationships that strengthen people, organizations and the services that are provided.
Five years after the end of the pandemic, many of the issues that were examined then haven’t disappeared; they have evolved into challenges that are reshaping how fire departments operate and recruit. The final report on Wingspread VIII will be published in the coming months. It will serve as the roadmap for the fire service in the future.
