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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?