Open Up Your Station
The Firehouse, The Station, The House, The Barn…whatever you call it, it is most likely a second home to all of us. We stop in after work each evening. We spend a Saturday there working on the equipment. We take one night a week there conducting training exercises and checking trucks. We hold suppers there, fundraisers and the all mighty pancake breakfast! This is what makes it home, and that home feeling is what keeps us coming back.
I’ve heard people say throughout the years that the firehouse is for “official business only”. “The firehouse isn’t a place for hanging around”. “Members should not be there without supervision from a Chief or Fire Officer”. If this is you, take a step back and look at the big picture. If the members are expected to attend a certain amount of meetings and trainings, or if the members are required to make a certain amount of calls, would limiting their access to the firehouse really motivate the members to meet your expectations?
Now, obviously we don’t want our firehouses to turn into party central for the young kids who just graduated high school and are just figuring out what “freedom” really feels like. We also don’t want it to be an “undisclosed” place for casual romances. We’ve all read the horror stories those turn into! We need to find a happy medium. Open the firehouse up to your members. Set up a fitness area to help increase health and fitness. Set up an office for your officers and inspiring leaders to do fire department related work. Haul out the grill you use for your fundraisers and get everyone together for a nice cookout. Build a training prop! Break out the old pool tables…come on, we all have them! They are just sitting their collecting dust, three-ring binders and three hole punch confetti!
Having guys “hanging around” the station builds morale, and morale is what keeps them coming back. Also, guess what happens if the tones hit. You’ll have yourself a fully staffed, if not more, Engine, Truck or Rescue company!
