Is there conflict between the volunteer and the career firefighters in your combination department? If so, which side is to blame? The answer probably is both sides! Fortunately, the peaceful coexistence of career and volunteer firefighters in a combination fire department is possible. First, make a fair assessment of the source of the conflict. Often, conflicts are the results of career firefighters treating volunteers as amateurs and volunteers envying career firefighters. If this "mixed" group of firefighters lacks visionary leadership, clear expectations, accountability, and good communication skills, a thriving culture of contention is inevitable. Fortunately, fostering the organizational development of these characteristics can result in a functional, cohesive, and collaborative mixed group of career and volunteer firefighters who are perfectly aligned with the organization's mission. Following are the strategy and tactics for achieving a peaceful coexistence between career and volunteer firefighters in the combination fire department.
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