Fireman's Fund Insurance Company (ARA) - How often do we take for granted that help in an emergency is just a 911-call away? Yet the recession is taking a toll on the group which is often the first responder in any emergency -- firefighters. What's more, nearly half of all firefighters agree that if the downturn continues for another year, it may affect their ability to serve their communities.

That's one of the most eye-opening findings from a recent survey by Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, which polled nearly 9,500 fire departments (30 percent of all departments in the country). The survey, "Supporting Safer Communities: A National Firefighter Survey" found that the top three challenges facing fire departments today are lack of budget; old or outdated equipment, gear and apparatus; and staffing, recruiting and retaining qualified firefighters.

In addition, more than half of all fire departments said the poor economy meant they had to increase fundraising efforts or grant writing due to budget cutbacks. And 55 percent strongly agree or agree with the statement, "If the economic situation continues for another 12 months, it will negatively affect our ability to serve our community."

"When you consider that firefighters are the first responders to nearly every fire, medical emergency, and natural or man-made disaster in our local communities, it is imperative that we have adequate funding to ensure we keep our communities safe," says Chief Larry J. Grorud, president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. "This study helps to show the needs of today's fire service in communities across the country."

Among the survey's most compelling findings:

* One out of four fire departments do not have adequate extrication equipment needed to safely and quickly remove injured people from a vehicle crash.

* Seventy-six percent of departments do not believe their organization is adequately trained to deal with terrorism or weapons of mass destruction.

* Fifty-seven percent of all volunteer departments (70 percent of all U.S. fire departments) are losing volunteers who need to look for other jobs.

* Fifty-two percent of departments do not feel they are adequately trained to handle hazardous material incidents. One-third of departments don't have and need protective equipment for all fire personnel to respond to hazardous materials incidents.

* Only 50 percent of departments have protective equipment for all personnel to respond to wild-land fires.

* Thirteen percent of responding departments don't have at least one thermal imaging camera, considered a critical tool to identify hot spots and locate injured or sleeping persons in a burning building. Only 41 percent of fire departments have at least one per engine company.

Not all the findings were grim. Many firefighters had positive information to convey about their departments:

* Despite the current economic crisis, only 17 percent of fire departments felt the quality of service they provide has declined.

* Ninety percent of fire departments believe they have adequate training for structural fires.

* Sixty-two percent are confident in their fire service organizations' disaster response capabilities.

"As a company, Fireman's Fund believes it is extremely important to raise awareness of the needs of local fire departments," says Chuck Kavitsky, chairman of Fireman's Fund. "Supporting the fire service means safer communities. That is why we have focused our philanthropic giving to directing grants to fire departments throughout the country."

Ipsos Public Affairs of New York conducted the study, which was available online for six weeks from mid-February to March 31, 2009 to any career and volunteer firefighters, regardless of geography, rank or size of their community. About 17,500 firefighters from nearly 9,500 departments participated, 61 percent of which hold the rank of fire official (chief, captain or lieutenant). These findings are based on data at the department level rather than on all respondents.

Full results can be found at www.firemansfund.com. An executive summary by Ipsos is available at www.ipsos-na.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent