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MFD594 I like the way you broke that down.It was dead on the money.No matter where we come from we alll have the same problem.In our area some departments only have 12 to 25 active members so mutual aid is automatically sent out to get manpower.Not unusal for a chief to drive or not have any officers during daytime.
You should see it here (Montgomery County, PA). Our fire company is small, and the area is very working class. Just about everyone in the company has work from 8-4 or 9-5. I'm usually home during the day. It's not uncommon for us to be responding with the paid driver, me in the seat, and no one in the back. The paid driver is just that---a driver. He doesn't have any gear. All he does is drive, pump, and operate the stick. It's usually not a big deal for highway work (which is most of our calls) or generals because two companies are always toned out, but for AFA's it's just us. Luckily we haven't had anything burn during the day yet, but I know the day is going to come. Nothing much I can do by myself except transmit the 3rd alarm and wait for the cavalry.
MFD594 hit the nail on the head! In my tenure in the Chiefs Office (12 years), I would rather call mutual aid and not need it, then need the help and not have it. My department was probably the first in Nassau County to author an "alarm plan", when it was written, it wasnt written to take the control away from the OIC, but to make his job easier.
I cant understand how in this day and age, there are still departments in this county without an alarm plan (mutual aid plan).
As previously said, we can do the job, but might need a little more help then we did 20 years ago, lets not be too proud, we are here to work togethor for a common goal, put the fire out and go home safely!
mutual aid plans do work. Aside from having a set plan on paper, it will cut down on the hurt feelings of "why didnt my dept get called in to play?" mentality. It can also cut down on radio transmissions to and from the chief to the command post to fire com. During the day, no matter where we are in this county, we need automatic mutual aid. end of story.
I have said this in other posts when the subject of "going paid" is brought up, before that happens there are other things to do to keep the volunteer sytem alive, and automatic mutual aide is probably the first step for many Depts.
Without hurting feelings, but take a good look at your own dept.....smaller ones in particular, if you are an officer, and think there is ANY chance of not having the manpower to stretch a second or third line, or do the truck work...... finding the fire, primary, secondary and to carry out the proper venting needed, then this is a must, and the m/a should be started out on the initial alert the same time as your dept. is being toned out.
Last edited by SPIN_THE_WHEEL : 05-13-2008 at 05:31 PM.
Excellent breakdown MFD...sounds like a lot of depts around...My dept sets up an automatic mutual aide whenever we have a working fire for a FAST truck company...works very well, gets the ball rolling...also to anyone that is around at times that manpower is light (daytime, weekdays), don't be afraid to call for all stations to respond if it sounds like work and don't be afraid to call mutual aide as soon as you get on the road. If it's nothing, you can always turn everyone around with your thanks. The old saying, I'd rather have them and not need them then to need them and not have them.
Mutual Aide WORKS!
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