Understanding Factors Impacting Volunteer Firefighters' Work, Family, and Volunteer Balance to Serve
Date of Award
Spring 2022
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)
Department
Public Policy and Administration
Committee Chairperson
Angela Kline, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Kristen B. Crossney, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Joseph Youngblood II, Ph.D., J.D
Abstract
The volunteer fire service in the United States is experiencing a decline, presenting the opportunity to study factors impacting current and former volunteer firefighters' ability to serve. A qualitative case study of volunteer fire service organizations in southern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania was undertaken through semi-structured interviews with 13 volunteer fire service members to understand this phenomenon. The findings of this study reveal that volunteer firefighters balance their time commitments through prioritization and self-regulation. The findings also indicate that volunteer firefighters are uncertain whether their communities understand the fire service delivery model serving their communities, the potential challenges the volunteer fire service organization faces, or how this may impact the community financially. The discussion advances that recruitment and retention efforts should focus on the return on involvement and the level of involvement of volunteer firefighters throughout their fire service lifecycle. Additionally, recruitment and retention efforts should be directed at the community more determinedly.
Recommended Citation
Schultz, Christopher, "Understanding Factors Impacting Volunteer Firefighters' Work, Family, and Volunteer Balance to Serve" (2022). West Chester University Doctoral Projects. 134.
https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/all_doctoral/134
Included in
Fire Science and Firefighting Commons, Public Administration Commons, Public Policy Commons