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Don't know if this has been addressed before or not, if it has, my apologies.  We have in our department an attitude that 'Social Membership' is fine, along with a number of social members, i.e. they've gone as far as FFI (if that, or taken themselves off line for non-physical reasons) yet are still in - and considered to be - 'active' members.

I'm not talking about the people that volunteer to work in HQ and file the reams of paperwork that is necessary to run the department, nor (for the most part) the fire police personnel.  Nor am I talking about the people that have huge time committments with work and family, I'm one of those, and we do as much as we possibly can when we are around). Instead I'm talking about the ones that show up for the free dinner at the monthly meeting, the social events and the public ed. functions, where they only have to show up as a firefigher with little if any concern about actually having to work as a firefighter.

Now, we're a volunteer department and I hope it stays that way at least until I'm too old to be active, but we are a fire department.  I, at least, expect that anyone who joins as a firefighter is going to function as a firefighter.  We have people that will, on rare occasion show up for calls (usually only if the dispatch reports heavy smoke or fire showing).  Likewise these same people almost never make drills so, regardless of how many years they've been doing the job, as far as I'm concerned their skills are weak or lacking as a result.

Yet the (seemingly) prevailing opinion (firefighters and the brass) is that it is acceptable.  There is no enforeced restrictions placed on people that have not kept up their skill set (we have the AOG'S/SOG'S that address it), and little if any effort to get them to respond more, take FFII or to at least function at their level.  We have people that basically have written their own job descriptions, show up as they please (if at all), do what they choose, pack up and leave when the fun stuff is done.

If I make complaints about this I'm seen as stiring up hate and discontent.  I am not trying to make the department act or function as a paid department, simply as a professional one.  I take trememdous pride and responsibility in my department and it galls the hell out of me to see people so damn cavalier about it.  We are firefighters, we are a fire department and when the tone drops the public expects well trained, professional, competent, capable firefighters to show up and mitgate their situation.

So what I'm wondering is, what do other departmend do about this 'social membership?'  Is it across the board acceptable?  I realize that 30 or 40 years ago the social aspect was a big part of being in the department, but times have changed, responsiblities have changes, requirements and training has been greatly increased, it isn't familes that are involved so much any more, just individuals. 

It isn't that there isn't any sociality in the department.  I have some amazing friends as a result.  But the friendships are a result of the bonds you make when you join together, or train together. but more importantly when you all work together, and work together often.  I don't have any problem with people being social, I don't feel that there are cliques.  But I do feel that there are people that are far less interested in doing the job of the firefighter than they are in making social contacts (business opportunities) or just belonging to a social club they think is 'way cooler' than say, the Elks or the American Legion.

Thoughts, comments?

It is like that with a lot of depts that I know. The volunteers more often then not have outside jobs that come 1st. We have a 50 % of trainings and at least 12 hrs on the EMS schedule every week. But very few meet this. I would like to see the guidelines alot stricter. If your sitting on your butt at home during training your butt should be at the station. When you join the dept you are told what is expected of you and you agree to that. You know when the trainings and meetings are held. So unless you are at work or a family thing you can't get out of you should be at training. This crap about I don't need that training or if you don't want to do it doesn't cut it with me. If your sick ok if not participate.

We have had the same issue with the dive team and I have got so fed up I recently quit. You should want to train for the worse not this 2 hr crap and go home after you drove the boat once. The excuses I have something I need to go do- the schedule is done 1 year in advance- if it's important like your kids B-day ok. But I am going drinking with buddies BS on that. Cutting down a required 3 day course to 1 1/2 days so you can be home getting laid is not an excuse. This recently happen on another team by the person in charge again BS. Things will always come up that you can't control and that's ok but it doesn't happen all the time.

If you are going to volunteer, either paid a little or not you should give your all. Be there for trainings and meetings, wash a truck without being ask, spend the day training and be prepared for something that may or may not happen. If your just there cause you look good in turnouts or I'm a FF or I am on the dive team and just not willing to give to ANY cause you are volunteering for, then LEAVE. Yes we are volunteers, so all the more reason to give of your self and your time- WHY because you want to do it!!

i'm not a FF yet but will be,however i am VP of the fire dept aux and my wife is a FF. as a result i am in close contact with what happens at the fire hall. i've been in the aux for over 5 years yet there are FF who i see only at social functions like the gun raffle or annual banquet. i've been to fires to provide support such as food and drink and i've noticed it's the same old faces everytime. when we need to liase for the running of functions its the same FF's who come and talk to us and they're the ones who are at most calls and training. i just dont get this!!!! you are a FF so be a FF!!!!! its not a drinking/social club and if you are just in it for the glory head to hollywood they got loads of plastic heroes out there. i'm ex military and know how essential training is and i will approach fire training the same way. i went through a war and several other bad places where my training kicked in and as a result i'm still here to tell the tale. surely the fire service is the same and there is no place for a part comittment. like the 1st poster i completely understand as volenteers we have other obligations to work and family etc but when you are sitting at home you cant pick and chose what calls you go to-------when the tones go off its time to head out the door and head to call/station. my apologies if anyone takes offence to my comments but i can understand how people get fed up when faced with this attitude-----------------------you all take care stay safe and thanks