The Plum Fire Chiefs Association (PFCA), representing the four volunteer fire departments of Plum Borough, are excited to announce the launch of a new daylight staffing stipend program that ensures the borough has a firefighting crew on duty Monday thru Friday 7am to 5pm via shifts. Qualified firefighters will be compensated via per shift for their time and efforts in serving the community in a dedicated role.
With the decline in Pennsylvania of volunteer firefighters over the last few decades and the increase in call volume for 911 dispatches, this program is an important step in ensuring that the residents & businesses of Plum Borough have the best fire protection & emergency assistance available to them in the traditionally low volunteer availability time periods. The days of many volunteers being “shift workers” and always having plenty of firefighters around during weekday daylight hours has past us; this program attempts to fills that gap.
The primary goals of the stipend staffing program are:
1) Provide a qualified firefighter crew consisting of three interior firefighters and a dedicated fire engine during the hours of 7am to 5pm, Monday thru Friday; excluding major holidays.
2) Support the recruitment and retainment efforts of the four volunteer fire departments by giving current members an incentive to staff a station during their personal days off and at the same time, obtain new members who want to be a part of the stipend program; but first they must join of the four departments and be a member in good standing before they can participate.
The PFCA would like to thank the Plum Borough Council and Administration for working with us to help make this program come to light. The financial backing from them is core to getting this program funded and off the ground.
CREW OPERATIONS
Firefighters will have the ability to sign-up for specific dates/shift times to accommodate their availability subject to final approval by the PFCA stipend team each month and will go through an orientation program to familiarize themselves with the assigned apparatus and standard operating guidelines (SOGs) of the program.
Each shift’s crew: consisting of a Driver/Operator and two Interior Firefighters; will handle fire suppression, rescue operations, and other emergency requests for assistance via Allegheny County 911 Dispatch; plus perform any other duties assigned by the PFCA. During a dispatched incident, the crew will be out the door quickly and will in many cases arrive on-scene first, establishing command & size-up, conducting initial operations, and working with the responding volunteer fire departments for a successful outcome. This quick response will close the gap on the vital early moments of an emergency incident and they can escalate or deescalate incoming response as warranted at the time.
PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS
The program is currently open to firefighters who belong to one of the four volunteer fire departments in Plum Borough:
• Station 233: Unity VFD
• Station 234: Renton VFD
• Station 235: Logans Ferry Heights VFD
• Station 236: Holiday Park VFD
Firefighters who meet the certification requirements; but are not currently a member of one of the above stations; they will need to join one of our volunteer fire departments first; and then be in good standing once a member to sign-up for paid shifts.
Qualifications Required by the Stipend Program:
1) Interior Firefighter (Mod 4 with Burn) certificate or Firefighter 1 (ProBoard)
2) Hazardous Materials Operations certificate
3) ICS-100, ICS-200, & NIMS-700 certificates
4) Basic Vehicle Rescue Technician
5) Basic First Aid & CPR/AED certification
6) Minimum 2 Years of Active Experience
7) EVOC/EVDT & Pump Ops for Drivers/Operators position*
Interested Firefighters may apply for the stipend program via the application form at: https://forms.gle/aWkQrtj87ig1CBSf8.
