Organizational Strategy

VCOS Vision imageMany emergency service organizations (ESOs) struggle with developing and implementing strategic plans consistent with the economic realities and needs of their communities. Often this stems from a lack of understanding the need, value and benefit of using a sustainable and flexible business model as part of their planning processes. Making it difficult for organizations to secure the predictable sources of funding necessary to ensure the effective delivery of emergency services. It is imperative these leaders be trained in business model practices.

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Cost Savings Calculator

A tool used to calculate the amount of money your department saves the community & resources provided for presenting to funding municipalities,

Cost to Outfit a Firefighter

Graphic illustrating the costs to outfit a firefighter.
  • IAFC KnowledgeNet

IAFC KnowledgeNet

Discuss issues and solutions with other IAFC members online, share SOPs and other resources

IAFC Position: Eliminating Unwanted and Nuisance Fire Alarm Activations

Unwanted and nuisance alarms are preventable; result in unneeded responses that negatively impact public & firefighter safety, local budgets.
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Individuals` Rights to Serve Their Communities in Multiple Capacities

IAFC's statement supporting Individuals` Rights to Serve Their Communities in Multiple Capacities.
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IRS Fact Sheet: The Basics on Taxation and Fire Departments

This discussion addresses some of the common questions we receive from firefighters and their employing organizations.
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Letter template to Representative: Cosponsor H.R 3881 to reauthorize AFG program

Template to make it easy to ask your senators to support important legislation to supplement local fire and emergency budgets
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LODD Guidelines (Denton, TX)

Denton County Fire Chief's Association Policy for Line of Duty Death
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LODD Guidelines (Montgomery, NY)

Montgomery Fire Department firefighter funeral guidelines
  • VCOS logo - IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section

Management Minute: New Techniques

6 things the fire service needs.

Managing Conflict in Combination Fire Departments

Evaluation of the causes of conflict within combination fire departments & how to manage them.
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Managing Volunteer and Combination Emergency Service Organizations: Tips for the Fire Department CEO

Details 18 important topics for the chief - the CEO of the fire department.
  • Managing Volunteer Fire Fighters - FLSA (A guide for Fire Chiefs)

Managing Volunteer Firefighters for FLSA Compliance: A Guide for Fire Chiefs and Community Leaders

A guide for fire chiefs and community leaders to better manage volunteer firefighters for FLSA compliance.
  • Flooding in Marblehead, MA caused by Hurricane Sandy. The Birkes (flickr.com/photos/brbirke/8136033826/) CC 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Model Procedures for Response of Emergency Vehicles During Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

Guide toward response policy to minimize risk to personnel and protect human, physical and cyber infrastructure before, during, after storms
  • Ponderosa Fire Department

Multiple Operational Guidelines (Ponderosa Vol Fire Dept, TX)

Standard operational guidelines provided by Ponderosa Vol Fire Dept. as samples.

Rapid Intervention Operations Manual

Sample rapid intervention operations manual.
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Rapid Intervention Team (Pierce Fire Rescue)

This guideline outlines a procedure to ensure risks faced by personnel are minimized through sound practices and safety procedures.
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TAMPA 2 Report: Carrying the Safety Message into the Future

Final report from NFFF’s 2014 TAMPA 2 Firefighter Life Safety Summit to review and discuss the 16 life safety initiatives.

The Disappearing Volunteer Firefighter

Article in the NY Times from August 2014 about the decline in the number of volunteer firefighters.

The State of the Volunteer Fire Service Report

A report to help improve the ability to recruit, retain and manage the volunteers of the future

USFA`s Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services Challenges and Solutions

A report from FEMA that outlines the challenges that face volunteer departments.
  • VCOS Blue Ribbon Report

VCOS Blue Ribbon Report: Preserving and Improving the Future of the Volunteer Fire Service

This VCOS ribbon report details steps to take to ensure the future of the volunteer fire service.
  • Red Ribbon Report

VCOS Red Ribbon Report: Leading the Transition in Volunteer and Combination Fire Departments

This VCOS ribbon report discusses how to begin the process of integrating paid staff into a volunteer department.
  • VCOS Blue Ribbon Report

VCOS Ribbon Reports

The reports every volunteer, combination department needs to know and read.

VCOS Vision Project: Department Recruitment Survey Methodology

Document outlining the methodology used to develop and administer a recruitment survey.
  • VCOS White Ribbon Report

VCOS White Ribbon Report: Managing the Business of the Fire Department

A report describing how to manage the business of the fire department produced in 2006 by IAFC`s VCOS.

VFIS Leadership 101

A primer on leadership issues for Emergency Service leaders to consider.
  • VISION The VCOS International Strategic Initiative Online Network

VISION: The VCOS International Strategic Initiative Online Network

Resources that focus on specific areas of challenges relating to creating and sustaining viable emergency response programs
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You're the Fire Chief; Now What? Guidance for New and Interim Fire Chiefs

Guidance to assist in first 100 days as a new or interim chief.