Managing the increasing training and certifications required to volunteer

Conduct a needs assessment, focus on your department’s first-due, and consider whether you need to be an “exterior-only” fire department

July 28, 2023 10:49 AM •

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In this episode of “What’s YOUR Problem?” Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder answers this viewer question:

Hey Billy, nice piece on the challenges of getting adequately trained and safe staffing by volunteer fire departments serving rural areas. One of the challenges is the increasing training and certifications required to become an operational firefighter. What’s your take on this?

Check out the chief’s response!

Do you have a question for Chief Goldfeder? Email editor@firerescue1.com or submit a question here.

Watch more What’s YOUR Problem? videos here.

Billy Goldfeder

Chief Billy Goldfeder, EFO, a firefighter since 1973, serves as deputy fire chief of the Loveland-Symmes (Ohio) Fire Department. He also serves as Lexipol’s senior fire advisor and is a member of the Fire Chief/FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board. Goldfeder is a member of the Board of Directors for several organizations: the IAFC, the September 11th Families Association and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). He also provides expert review assistance to the CDC NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program. Goldfeder is the recipient of numerous operational and administrative awards, appointments and recognitions. He has served on several NFPA and IAFC committees, has authored numerous articles and books, and presented several sessions at industry events. Chief Goldfeder co-hosts the website www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com.