Don't Risk It! Podcast

Fundraising events are not just a way to raise money for an emergency services organization. They also provide visibility in the community. Bryan Duquin and Blair Tyndall of VFIS Client Risk Solutions join us to discuss some creative ways organizations can engage in fundraising and some things to consider when your agency chooses to go this route, including fidelity best practices for handling money potentially collected during fundraising events.

Evolutions in vehicle construction and safety, changes in procedures for PPE, emergency lighting, securing portable equipment and new training needs (to name a few), have altered the landscape of emergency response over the years. In this roundtable discussion, we hear from members of the VFIS Client Risk Solutions team as they reflect on changes They've observed in the industry over the course of their careers.

Who is responsible for making HR decisions in your organization? In this episode, we talk about the ever-changing field of Human Resources and how it applies to emergency services. Glatfelter's Suzanne McConkey, Vice President of Human Resources, and Sara Spangler, Manager of Talent Acquisition and Engagement, join us to provide their insight and offer some best practices for organizations who may not have the resources to employ full-time HR personnel.

Intentional or unintentional, wrongdoing or a mistake made within an ESO makes for a bold headline. The vast majority of emergency responders set out to do the right thing; but that doesn't necessarily mean the same thing as being compliant. In this episode, we're joined by VFIS Education Specialist Justin Eberly who offers clarification and guidance on operational requirements for emergency services versus recommended best practices.

Be at the top of your game by following your organization's policies and procedures. Dave Bradley and the VFIS team look back on what they wish they knew when serving as responders — including the importance of having an increased focus on driver training, burnout and fatigue in the workforce, best practices for documentation, developing a strong safety culture and risk resources and training availability.

Volunteer recruitment and retention are among the top issues facing volunteer Fire and EMS organizations. In this episode with Rick Gurba, VFIS Director of Education and Training, we talk about the difference between these two separate functions and discuss a unique way to address these issues within emergency service organizations.

"Keep your brand in your voice" as this is the identity of your department. Jenny Bragiel, Communications Specialist with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue., joins us to talk about social media and how to improve your department's brand and digital presence to recruit and retain new members. She walks us through how to leverage social media to reach out to other groups/organizations, build bonds within the community and promote members. Following these key concepts can assist your organization with improving your recruitment and retention campaigns.

There is no such thing as safe ice. Although a low-volume occurrence, water and ice rescue is a high-risk situation and it's easy for a rescuer to become part of the problem and not the solution. In this episode, we interview Todd Stahl, President and Lead Instructor of WhiteCap Water Rescue, to discuss how to effectively train for these conditions.

Be ahead of the game when preparing your property for seasonal changes in temperature. In this roundtable discussion with members of the Client Risk Solutions team, we talk about some best practices for winterizing stations and support facilities, as well as things to inspect after a major storm. Visit https://www.vfis.com/Property-Management for additional resources on this topic.

The Fire Service industry has undergone dramatic changes in the past decade - from training, station design, mental and physical health and wellness of responders, to command structure, accountability and more. In this group discussion with the VFIS team, we take on several topics and industry trends regarding safety and risk reduction. Our hope is to spark ideas of how to positively affect your department. Change is inevitable. Be a leader and catalyst for change within the industry and your department's culture.