Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association

Membership Survey Results

October 2005

Shoreline Associates, Inc.

Overview Objectives Survey process Response rates Responses by

survey area Recommendations

& closing comments

Objectives Annual & long term planning Only about 10% of membership attend any

given meeting Identified need to appeal to all members, not

just retired and/or long time members

Survey Process Survey designed by Shoreline Associates with

input from CFCA and others Addressed numerous areas:

Member demographics Focus and value of meeting content Dues paid and by who Narrative responses

Response Rates

Total Membership & Number of Surveys Sent

665 100%

Electronic Responses (via email)

30 4%

Mailed responses 131 20%

Total Responses 161 24%

1/4 of Membership Responded

Response RatesElectronic

19%

Mailed81%

1 of Every 5 Responses Were Returned Electronically

Years in the Fire Service

%

Less than 5 Years 0%

5 to 9 Years 0%

10 to 19 Years 9%

20 or More Years 91%

Average ~20 Years

Type of Department

%

Volunteer 58%

Combination 23%

Career 19%

Type of Department

Volunteer58%Combination

23%

Career19%

Retired from Fire Service?

Retired22%

Currently Active I n

Fire Service

78%

Actual Number of Former Chiefs

Completing Survey Is

Estimated To Be At Least 36%

Years As A CFCA Member

Less Than 521%

5 to 925%

10 to 2031%

Over 2023%

1 Of Every 5 Respondents Has Been A

CFCA Member For Less Than 5

Years

Excellent Cross Section

Of CFCA Membership

Years

Levels of Respondents

Total %Chief of Department 54 33%

Commissioner or Municipal Official 8 .5%

Chief Officer or Shift Commander 25 16%

Company Officer 6 .4%

Firefighter (Probably Former Chiefs That Are Still Somewhat Active)

23 14%

Retired 36 22%

½ of Respondents Are Chief Officers; 1/3 Active Chiefs

Reason For Joining CFCA

Networking92%

Education5%

Other3%

Current Benefit Provided

Network79%

Education13%

Other8%

Networking Is The Benefit Currently

Being Obtained; Not

Necessarily What They’re Looking For

Number of CFCA Meetings Attended During the Past Year

None23%

1 or 228%

3 to 631%

More than 6

18%

Half Attended 2 Or Fewer Meetings Last Year

Reasons For Attending Meetings

Choices were: Geographic location Educational program offered Restaurant or meeting site chosen Haven’t been to a meeting in months Other

Reasons For Attending Meetings

Location52%

Education Program

25%

Site2%

Not Been15% Other

6%

Other Association Memberships

Connecticut Fire Marshals Assoc 25%

Connecticut Fire Instructors Assoc 34%

Conn Career Fire Chiefs Assoc 17%

International Assoc of Fire Chiefs 45%

Intl Society of Fire Service Instructors 12%

Intl Association of Arson Investigators 12%

Local County Fire Chiefs Association 43%

Other Association Memberships

Less than ½ are members of the IAFC ¼ are Fire Marshals 1/3 are CT Fire Instructor Assoc.

members Less than ½ are members of their

local county fire chiefs association

CT Fire Chiefs Association Is The Primary Association Information Source For At Least ½ Of Our Members

Current Meeting Focus

Dinner and Networking

53%

The Educational

Program2%

Both Empasized

45%

Value of Current Educational Programs Offered

Little/ None13%

Some, Not Much26%

Moderate Amount

52%

Very Much9%

Less Than 10% Of Respondents Feel

Educational Offerings Are Of Significant Value

Longer Meetings; Held Less Often

Little or No Appeal 13%

Some, But Not Much 26%

Moderate Amount 52%

Very Much 9%

Longer Meetings; Held Less Often

Little/ None13%

Some, Not Much26%

Moderate Amount

52%

Very Much9%

More Than ½ Of Respondents See Value In Longer Meetings

Fire Marshal Credit For Longer Meetings?

Little or No Appeal 57%

Some, But Not Much 16%

Moderate Amount 13%

Very Much 14%

25% of Respondents Are Fire Marshals

Who Pays Your Dues?

You Do 47%

Your Department Does 53%

How Much Do You Spend Annually For CFCA Dues, Meetings & Dinners?

$25 24%

$26 to $7518%

$76 to $12526%

$126 to $20021%

Over $20011%

Average Is Approximately $100 Per Year

Excludes Christmas Party Cost

If CFCA Dues Increased and Had Fewer, But Longer Meetings

Little/None48%

Some, Not Much17%

Moderate Amount

24%

Very Much11%

Estimated That At Least

36% Not Active Chiefs

Should Vendors Be Allowed At Longer Educational Meetings?

Yes87%

No13%

Vendors Should Be Encouraged

To Display Products

Relevant To The Education

Program Topic

Recommendations Refocus On Educational Programs

Of Value To Active Chief Officers Create or revisit the concept of an

Educational Committee Publish educational program topic at least

2 months in advance Consider separate sessions for chiefs and

other chief officers, where apprpriate

Recommendations (cont.) Hold (½ day) Educational Sessions

Consider 3 sessions per year (suggest January, May and September)

More in-depth educational content Consider providing breakfast or lunch to allow

for networking time Provide for Fire Marshal continuing education

credit Invite vendor displays to defray costs Maybe 1 on weekend for volunteers

Recommendations (cont.) Establish Separate Membership

Classifications For: Active Fire Chiefs Other Chief Officers Other Active Fire Service Ranks Retirees and former chiefs (non-voting or

associate membership classification) Life members

Recommendations (cont.) Consider Dues Increase If It Will

Cover The Cost Of The Longer Meetings So That Members Have The Same Total Annual Membership Cost $100 for active members $25 for retirees and former chiefs Members should still pay for their meal at

evening dinner meetings

Recommendations (cont.) Consider holding a combined

organization meeting with the CT Fire Instructors Association

Reconsider Location of Dinner Meetings and Educational Sessions Many requests for centralized location(s)

within the State Others are interested in rotating meetings

around the counties of the State

Closing Comments Excellent response rates Insight into some of the varying opinions of

membership groups Recommendations are a starting point for

the new Executive Committee Questions or Comments?