07/20/2026
What is happening with your fire protection?
Today, I would like to sort of introduce you or reintroduce you to the position of Fire Chief in a volunteer fire department. For all practical purposes a fire department operates as a business which provides a service. The one main difference is the employees are volunteer. With that comes all the usual responsibilities, maintenance, scheduling, supply, training, and expense. The association and the district board meet to decide certain things like major purchases, major events, review of activities and policies, but most of the day to day falls to the chief. Most see the Fire Chief as the person in the white hat that oversees and directs what is done on a fire scene, but there is much that we never see. Documentation, documentation, documentation, yes three times over for it is a major key to not just what is required by regulations, standards and the Fire Marshal, but for the PIAL fire rating as well. The fire service is covered and influenced by much regulation, including even most of the equipment that is used. There are tools to fight fire that will work, and then there are tools to fight fire that work, and also meet the many standards and qualify for the PIAL rating. These many variable factors must be addressed as the day-to-day business of this important business is conducted. Some of it seems very pointed and rigid so much so that on the PIAL fire rating, one certain fire truck, rolling to one fire can make a difference in points and ratings. The fire service, like many other businesses, are much like the iceberg; impressive even on the surface but even much more so if you consider what is just below that surface view. Though others do assist, most of this oversite falls to the responsibility of the fire chief.
Be aware, be informed, be prepared, and be safe. Non-emergency phone number 684-5429 [email protected] Check back next week. Berl Adams CPVFD Public Information Officer