Michael. L. Kuk, P.H.D
History does repeat itself, and the Fire Service is a big part of this element of life. Whether we review and study the fires of the past, we are concerned with today’s events becoming tomorrow’s history lesson.
How often do we ask ourselves if these events will be revisited?
If we do it regularly enough, then one might already know the complete answer.
Today’s environment for the Fire Service finds the financial question again at the top of the list. It does not matter if the department is large or small, either in personnel or areas of coverage and responsibility, it must be noted that the present monetary process affects us all, and in the end, certainly what we do for services delivered.
And when we say the word “all”, we must include the many allied and related professions and businesses that support the Fire Service.
Direct and indirectly, these partners are in a straight line that links with our overall mission success. Manufacturers of fire service equipment are in a parallel link with our system of services.
They are quite like us, whereas we both strive to daily deliver a high quality of product, even though it’s a service-based industry for the Fire Service.
We utilise many specialised pieces of equipment and hardware to accomplish positive results, usually for someone in trouble. Our state of training has never been higher. We now are no longer satisfied with internal training classes and departmental operational budgets are not only under close review, but many are being slashed’ based training.
We continually press forward for more external credentials, such as national and international recognitions and certifications.
Those who are self-committed for greater planes of attainment seek higher level institutions awarding us a unique distinction of advanced knowledge, and the bottom line is that this all commits a financial obligation.
Let us return to what is happening today to the Fire Service family.
Operational budgets are not only under close review, but many are
being slashed simply because the tax base is absent. Revenue for
many cities and other taxing bodies is greatly diminished, and for a
wide variety of reasons and elements beyond their respective span
of control.
The best supporting documentation from the chief fire officers
and their staff is probably read with frank interest, but in the face
of what the governing authorities have been dealt with, there
isn’t enough funding to support all aspects of the individual fire
service operations.
Remember that the fire service is in direct competition with
other basic services to take care of a given area and population.
Ask yourself the question about the need for refuse trucks. One
cannot imagine what would occur if there was a major absence of
trash collection services.
Within the passing of just one week, there would be untold health issues, must less an eyesore everywhere. As in most cases, equipment and apparatus replacement suffers first.
The planned and projected new apparatus is placed on an indefinite hold, or maybe, by a stroke of luck some finances can be committed, then a basic refurbishment can be performed.
This alternate method of fire apparatus modernisation yields a
few more years of serviceable life, and some upgrading, although
there are limits.
Looking at the European fire apparatus market, there are differences in their apparatus that makes financial sense.
They opt for painted parts versus chrome and highly polished
components. American apparatus still displays a generous portion of several expensive segments like fully chromed bumpers, when the European market utilizes hard coated paint.
There is also a standard of apparatus design in the European market. One can venture forth from any given community and find their apparatus in a basic and easily distinguished format.
If a firefighter can go to a particular compartment and grab a rescue
tool on their apparatus, then he can probably also go and locate
the same tool on another department’s apparatus.
This standard of design does lower a cost portion of the overall
apparatus construction. The basic factory processes, such as
fashioning, fabrication, and overall construction techniques, should
contribute to be more economical in the long run as apparatus is standardised at the very beginning of this system of construction.
Of recent note is what the United States Army has done for major
fire apparatus replacement. A fleet of Class A engines were built
and delivered to a wide variety of bases.
These engines were the results of an exhaustive process involving experienced fire officers and their key staff members coming together and forming a committee to explore all avenues of truly required services.
The end result was their work in designing a state of the art piece of
apparatus with options to be secured and distributed to installations
in need.
Options becomes the key word here. All of the engines could perform a wide variety of multi-taskings, but several options remained available for each individual apparatus.
These pieces of apparatus were destined to serve across the United States, and each base is unique in its makeup, not unlike one city to another.
There were options that included heavy duty air-conditioning for hot weather climates versus a severe cold weather package ensemble.
Some of the equipment storage compartments could be easily modified to increase medical gear being carried. The overall ground ladder package could also be specified to fit the base requirements of taller structures.
The Army made it a bulk purchase of many units. Thus, a couple of extra engines were able to be built within the same funding structure and defined financial limits.
This was a direct result of purchasing a large “alike” collection, and capturing the immediate savings from the total expenditure, with a good reinvestment back into the apparatus replacement program.
In looking at what the manufacturers are challenged with, in
the present austere procurement atmosphere, the picture might
look similar.
After all, they are very visible today in delivering a solid and dependable product. Their product will speak volumes about what they have produced for a given price, and of course, what they are all about. If their product is great, then word spreads positively.
Yet the inverse becomes true if it does not meet the mission requirement of the Fire Service customer.
The question might be asked, will the fire service see lesser and inferior products coming unto the market in these times?
I personally feel that the manufacturer will still produce a high quality
product, and reduce associated production costs in other ways. There could be an atmosphere of looking at extended purchase plans, or selling individual components of larger systems in a progressive manner, so as to not tip the financial scales.
Whatever the future holds for an economic boost or resolve, cannot be afforded as a wait-it-out period for the Fire Services. Our high tech society both requires and demands the best that exists.
After all, the Firefighter manpower pool has a massive collection of very dedicated and talented professionals.
Should not the equipment and hardware be also of the same high standard?
It seems that the Fire Service will once again weather another bad storm, as they say. We must press forward to ensure that we will continue to perform our jobs in the best work atmosphere with the best equipment and training that we can afford.
We need to keep envisioning modern approaches to smart business practices with cost effective measures. We do enjoy the challenges in our delivery of Fire Services.
Ask any Firefighter if they are proud of what they do. Is this anything we cannot handle?
Emergencies and urgent calls for service delivery is something we live with every day. Look at the big picture with a resolve to do our best one more time.
Never before have we been challenged like the present. The clever and resourceful professionals will survive.
About Michael Kuk
Michael L. Kuk, PhD., CFO, CHS-V, MIFireE is currently serving as fire chief at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
He has over 45 years of fire service experience and has been a published author since 1974.
A Vietnam Veteran and U.S.Army Firefighter, he is the Chair of the Federal Firefighters Memorial Committee and Master Musician for DoD ceremonial events.
He was recently inducted into the Army Fire Chiefs Hall of Fame and in 2006 was inducted into the Iowa 50-60’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame with his band, the Union Jacks, of that era.
He is an avid fire memorabilia historian and collector, in particular with items pertaining to Saint Florian.
