Year end numbers.

Well, starting to run the year end numbers and they do not look good.  We had about the same number of calls in 2010 as we did in 2009.  Response from members dropped almost one firefighter.  For the major stuff, we averaged 8.6 which is one less then last  year.  For all calls, we dropped down to 6.5 firefighters per call also down a little more then one firefighter.  I don't think that the members are not responding if they are able, but do know that the activiated fire alarm calls have a lot of them going less then full speed, hoping some one gets on scene quickly and tells them it is a false trip. Can't hardly blame them, the local hospital has given us seven of those in 2010, and all but one came between 2300 and 0600. Even I don't want to leave a warm bed for those kind of calls.  The year dawns with some other personnal problems.  May lose a couple of guys with personal problems, and have another who seems to attract trouble with every turn.  Not much I can do about their personal problems, unless they affect their performance on the job.  Trying to get some planning done early this year and seem to be running into a lot of roadblocks.  Some from people who don't follow up on their jobs, and some from myself from a lack of motivation.  Find myself working for a while and then going off on a rabbit trail that has nothing to do with what I was doing.  Full time job is going okay, but have a lot of pressure from demanding people, some who think they are more important then anyone else. Sometimes I dream of just telling them off, walking out the door and never coming back.  But I won't as if would make it hard for those who will follow after me.  Time to call it a day,  hope the tones don't go tonight, it COLD and I have an early morning appointment.  But will bring the boots and pants in just in case.  Seldom get a call when I'm really prepared.