A survey conducted by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company reveals that an overwhelming percentage of firefighters feel they are operating without adequate training, equipment, and funds. Nationally, 76 percent of respondees feel their departments are inadequately trained to deal with a terrorism incident, while 52% feel inadequately trained to deal with a hazmat incident.

The survey, "Supporting Safer Communities: A National Firefighter Survey," was answered by about 17,500 firefighters representing almost 9,500 organizations. Sixty-one percent of the respondees were fire officials – chief, captain or lieutenant.

While all types of departments report the economy is hampering the safety of their communities, unpaid departments may be suffering the most as volunteers leave to look for other jobs or sources of income.

Top challenges
According to the survey, the top three challenges facing fire departments are:

• lack of budget
• staffing, recruiting and retaining qualified firefighters
• old or outdated equipment, gear and apparatus

Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company was founded in 1863 with a mission to support the fire service. To read an executive summary of the survey, visit http://www.firemansfund.com/firesurvey/html/summary.html.