Just some random thoughts of mine regarding the challenges of being a volunteer Fire Chief in 2005, can you think of ones I may have missed? If so send them to me at al@fireworld.com

" Learning Curve from change in leadership after elections - newly appointed officers
" Response time improvements - reducing the time it takes to get apparatus to respond
" Declining membership
" Fire Officer Development & developing junior officers
" EMS problems - uncollectibility of medical service rendered (BLS)
" Statutory requirements - necessary training and recordkeeping
" Fire Dept Finance & budgeting for adequate fire & EMS response
" Maintaining Fund raising efforts
" Replacement of older Personal Protective Equipment and Apparatus (STOG & SCBA)
" Fire Prevention / Public Relations
" Code Enforcement / Identifying Where Hazardous Materials are stored
" Threat and Risk Assessment - where might be a high life hazard in the community requiring Pre-Planning (i.e. Nursing Homes, Stadiums, etc.)
" Terrorism Prevention efforts
" Target Infrastructural protection (Malls, Hospitals)
" Large Scale Evaluation and/or Shelter-In-Place Planning
" Driver Training - rollover prevention
" Preventive Maintenance on Facilities and Apparatus
" Ensuring Health & Safety of the members (Firefighter Safety & Survival)
" Wellness Program
" Review and revision of Standard Operating Guides & Protocols (SOPs)
" Updating Emergency Operations Plan for Municipality (All-Hazard Preparedness)
" License & Inspection of Businesses - Occupancy Permits for Manufacturing, Producers, Waste Disposal, and other common locations for HazMats
" Tactics for handling a Chemical/Pesticide Spill or Fire
" Unique Transportation of Haz Mat Response Challenges in your community (i.e. Railroad, Pipeline, Fixed Facilities, etc.)