Fire Rescue launches online community survey

Posted On: October 1, 2020

Volusia County Fire Rescue has a question for residents in its service area: How are we doing? Local citizens can help answer that question in an online survey that was recently launched on the county’s website.

The idea behind the survey, according to Volusia County Fire Chief Howard Bailey, is to elicit feedback about what fire rescue services the community wants and needs. The feedback will be essential in the ongoing development of a strategic plan to guide Fire Rescue into the future and ensure that the community’s public safety needs are met. And it will also help identify the organization’s strengths as well as opportunities for improvement.

Perhaps equally important, Fire Rescue wants the public’s input to help make sure that the agency and its employees are projecting a courteous and friendly attitude and remain engaged with the community. Fire Rescue services all of unincorporated Volusia County plus three municipalities – Lake Helen, Oak Hill and Pierson.

“Customer service in all businesses is incredibly important, and Fire Rescue is no different,” said Chief Bailey. “Residents, taxpayers, people in need of our service – they’re all our customers. We want to make sure that we’re meeting their needs and expectations.”

The survey consists of 18 questions, covering topics about various fire services and equipment and asking respondents to rate the agency on things like response time and attentiveness to the needs of the community. For people who are interested in participating further, Fire Services will be hosting virtual sessions with small groups of respondents to discuss the survey in greater detail. To fill out the survey, click on the link below:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JZG5KKZ

In addition to filling out the survey from the comfort of home or on a mobile device, residents can use a public access computer at any county library to complete the survey. Fliers have been posted inside county libraries to spread the word about the survey, which will be open through Oct. 31.

The survey and strategic plan are all part of Fire Rescue’s efforts to become nationally accredited. The accreditation process usually takes 3-5 years to complete, with development of a strategic plan one of the key requirements.

“This strategic plan process will result in a published document that will serve as a roadmap to guide Fire Rescue into the future,” said Volusia County Public Protection Director Joe Pozzo.