Examples of Staffing Types
Centre Region Council of Regional Fire Protection, Centre County
Council of Government provides funding and leadership to a primarily volunteer department with three stations. The council is made up of one borough and five townships.
Garden Spot Fire Rescue, Lancaster County
Merger of three volunteer departments under one unified chain of command. Serves one borough and two townships.
Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Fire, Dauphin County
Though operationally under Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Fire. The township's deputy chief runs the daily operations and administration of fire services. Each of the volunteer fire departments operate independently of each other.
Warwick Emergency Services, Lancaster County
Made up of:
- Three volunteer fire departments
- One combination fire and EMS
- One EMS-only station
Some paid staff cover EMS unites.
Operationally under the Warwick Emergency Services Commission, the township's fire commissioners run daily operations and administration of fire services.
Each of the volunteer fire departments operate independently of one another. There has not been a merger or consolidation of fire companies.
Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department, Berks County
Mergers two combination departments under one unified chain of command.
Serves one borough and one township.
Paid staffing: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In-house duty crew staff: 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Staffing Programs
Home response ✔
Live-in ✔
Duty crew ✔
Other: Bunk-in ✔
Incentives
Stipends ✔
Pay per call 🛇
LOSAP 🛇
Tuition programs: TBD
Administrative staff
• Paid officers: One fire director, three assistant chiefs
• Volunteer officers: One fire chief, two assistant chiefs
• Paid support staff: One office manager
Volunteer base is about 30 percent college students.
Staffing Programs
Home response ✔
Live-in 🛇
Duty crew 🛇
Bunk-in 🛇
Incentives
Stipends 🛇
Pay per call 🛇
LOSAP 🛇
Tuition programs: 🛇
Administrative staff
• Paid officers: 0
• Volunteer officers: All operational officers are volunteers
• Paid support staff: One full-time administrator, two part-time administrative assistance
Staffing Programs
Home response ✔
Live-in ✔
Duty crew ✔
Incentives
Stipends ✔
Pay per call 🛇
LOSAP ✔
Tuition programs: ✔
Administrative staff
• Paid officers: Deputy chief and fire marshal.
• Volunteer officers: Each volunteer station has its own chief officers.
• Paid support staff: None
Staffing Programs
Home response ✔
Live-in ✔
Duty crew ✔
Incentives
Stipends ✔
Pay per call 🛇
LOSAP ✔
Tuition programs: ✔
Administrative staff
• Paid officers: Deputy chief and fire marshal
• Volunteer officers: Each volunteer station has its own chief officers
• Paid support staff: None
Though operationally under Warwick Emergency Services Commission, with the township’s fire commissioners running the daily operations and administration of the fire services, each of the volunteer fire departments operate independently of one another.
There has not been a merger or consolidation of fire companies. Fire chiefs work together in a regional system under the direction of Warwick Emergency Services Commission.
Staffing Programs
Home response ✔
Live-in ✔
Duty crew ✔
Other (Additional bunk-in crews) ✔
Incentives
Stipends ✔
Pay per call ✔
LOSAP 🛇
Tuition programs ✔
Tax credit programs: municipal and school
Administrative staff
• Paid officers: None
• Volunteer officers: Yes. All in incentive program.
• Paid support staff: None
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