1. Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association Membership Survey Results October 2005 Shoreline Associates, Inc.

2. Overview  Objectives  Survey process  Response rates  Responses by survey area  Recommendations & closing comments

3. 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

4. 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

5. Response Rates Total Membership & Number of Surveys Sent 665100% Electronic Responses (via email) 304% Mailed responses13120% Total Responses16124% 1/4 of Membership Responded

6. Response Rates 1 of Every 5 Responses Were Returned Electronically

7. Years in the Fire Service % Less than 5 Years0% 5 to 9 Years0% 10 to 19 Years9% 20 or More Years91% Average~20 Years

8. Type of Department % Volunteer58% Combination23% Career19%

9. Type of Department

10. Retired from Fire Service? Actual Number of Former Chiefs Completing Survey Is Estimated To Be At Least 36%

11. Years As A CFCA Member 1 Of Every 5 Respondents Has Been A CFCA Member For Less Than 5 Years Excellent Cross Section Of CFCA Membership Years

12. Levels of Respondents Total% Chief of Department 5433% Commissioner or Municipal Official 8.5% Chief Officer or Shift Commander 2516% Company Officer 6.4% Firefighter (Probably Former Chiefs That Are Still Somewhat Active) 2314% Retired 3622% ½ of Respondents Are Chief Officers; 1/3 Active Chiefs

13. Reason For Joining CFCA

14. Current Benefit Provided Networking Is The Benefit Currently Being Obtained; Not Necessarily What They’re Looking For

15. Number of CFCA Meetings Attended During the Past Year Half Attended 2 Or Fewer Meetings Last Year

16. 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

17. Reasons For Attending Meetings

18. 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%

19. 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

20. Current Meeting Focus

21. Value of Current Educational Programs Offered Less Than 10% Of Respondents Feel Educational Offerings Are Of Significant Value

22. Longer Meetings; Held Less Often Little or No Appeal13% Some, But Not Much26% Moderate Amount52% Very Much9%

23. Longer Meetings; Held Less Often More Than ½ Of Respondents See Value In Longer Meetings

24. Fire Marshal Credit For Longer Meetings? Little or No Appeal57% Some, But Not Much16% Moderate Amount13% Very Much14% 25% of Respondents Are Fire Marshals

25. Who Pays Your Dues? You Do47% Your Department Does53%

26. How Much Do You Spend Annually For CFCA Dues, Meetings & Dinners? Average Is Approximately $100 Per Year Excludes Christmas Party Cost

27. If CFCA Dues Increased and Had Fewer, But Longer Meetings Estimated That At Least 36% Not Active Chiefs

28. Should Vendors Be Allowed At Longer Educational Meetings? Vendors Should Be Encouraged To Display Products Relevant To The Education Program Topic

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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?