RIVERSIDE — The Volunteer Fire Department has increased its hours providing additional community coverage.

“We have added two 12-hour overnight shifts to our eight hours a day, seven days a week coverage,” Riverside Fire chief Tim Kurzejeski said.

Kurzejeski said the department originally had eight hours coverage, seven days a week, with the fire chief working three eight-hour shifts during the week in addition to a paid on-duty firefighter.

“I looked at budget numbers and had meetings with my department and we came up with the plan to extend the fire coverage with on-duty personnel and provide more hours of coverage at a minimal cost,” he said.

Kurzejeski said he now works two eight-hour shifts a week by himself during the day and there is an on-duty firefighter for two 12-hour overnight shifts.

“We began implementing the new hours a couple months ago to work out the kinks,” he said. “We wanted to make sure the change was a good fit for the department and the personnel, and have seen positive results so far.”

Kurzejeski said there has been good feedback from the community, from the town administration, and especially from the firefighters themselves.

“This allows the more senior experienced firefighters to help train the newer staff,” he said. “And our volunteers are very well trained—their dedication and commitment is amazing.”

Kurzejeski said some of the volunteers sign up and work shifts that extend the coverage even further.

“Our volunteers have stepped up to provide additional coverage of hours not normally covered,” he said. “It provides a tremendous balance for the department, with the paid and volunteer firefighters working, and it has brought the whole department closer together. Everyone works as one team and it has very, very positive effects across the board.”

Kurzejeski said one of the positive effects is better response times. The department responded to more calls in 2010 than ever before.

“In our job, time is of the essence, whether it is a medical call or a structure fire,” he said. “We have had good backing from the mayor and council, who are very pleased with the changes, and the department morale is through the roof.”

Kurzejeski said in addition to the extended hours, the fire station recently underwent a remodeling project to provide living quarters for the overnight personnel.

“We modified the station to provide a front office area, a day room, and a personal room with bed, desk, etc. for the overnight person,” he said. “We had a lot of materials donated and volunteer work that made the remodeling possible at very little cost.”

Kurzejeski said the department’s goal for the coming year is to be as proactive and progressive as possible.

“Even though the economy hasn’t fully recovered yet, we want to advance services through a variety of means such as grants and in-house training and education to improve services,” he said. “We are trying to provide the best possible service and coverage to the citizens while staying within our budget.”

Kurzejeski said the department is always looking for community involvement and volunteers.

“If you have the want to help your community and the dedication, we will train you from there,” he said.

Kurzejeski said the department has in-house certified trainers.

“We want to provide superior emergency services to the residents of Riverside,” he said. “We want to be a part of the community we serve and a reflection of it.”

For more information or to volunteer call the Riverside Volunteer Fire Department at 205-338-7692, ext. 3.

Contact Elsie Hodnett at ehodnett@dailyhome.com.