Strategic Plan
2025-2030Nine strategic initiatives, shaped by 202 community survey responses and the department's own members, that set the fire department's direction through 2030.
About the Strategic Plan
“Our strategic vision for the future is not just to maintain the current level of service, but rather to expand both in quantity and quality.” — Fire Chief Craig Miller
Beginning in December 2022, Chief Miller assembled a Strategic Planning Committee representing every part of the organization: Hank Anderson of Chesterfield Township, Director of Public Safety Brian Bassett, Chief Craig Miller, Gordon Tuzinsky, Inspector Richard Mucha, James Schafer Jr. (IAFF Local 4011 President), Nathan McKee and part-time firefighter Chloe Liberatore. The committee met six times.
From February to October 2023 the department gathered 202 responses to an online community survey. Firefighting and EMS ranked as the two most important services, followed by HAZMAT response, water rescue, community risk reduction and public relations.
Three internal workgroups covering nearly the whole department ran a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis. Members named community-focused service, professionalism and integrity as core values, pointed to the department's facilities, equipment, member skill and outside relationships as strengths, and raised staffing, training time and career progression as the areas to work on.
1. Personnel Development and Training
A published progression of skills and training for every position, essential skills for each rank used in evaluations, a mentor program for probationary members and a fair annual evaluation process.
2. Emergency Response
An effective way to share incident information, mapping, performance measures and daily information with all suppression personnel.
3. Community Risk Reduction
A dedicated Public Educator position and a Public Education Team of members who routinely take part in public education.
4. Technical Rescue
A technical rescue response model setting training levels for confined space, rope, trench, vehicle, machine and elevator rescue, with skills evaluations and equipment lists for each discipline.
5. Hazardous Materials Response
A hazardous materials response model with defined training levels, periodic skills evaluations and equipment lists.
6. Water Rescue and Marine Operations
A water rescue response model covering surface, dive, ice and marine operations, with skills evaluations and equipment lists.
7. Emergency Preparedness
A Continuity of Operations Plan for adoption by the township's elected officials and a public emergency shelter program.
8. Employee Health and Wellness
A peer support team for members in times of personal crisis and a near-miss education program.
9. Facilities and Equipment
A fire apparatus replacement plan and a small equipment replacement plan.
Measuring Progress
Progress is tracked at the monthly officers' meetings and reported to the Chief during the annual program appraisal, with successes and obstacles shared with the whole department.