Risk Evaluate and Control of Volunteer Firefighters Using Group Decision Making

Abstract

Risk management encompasses all measures taken before the occurrence of risk events to mitigate potential future losses. Although volunteer firefighters serve in a voluntary capacity, their disaster response duties expose them to various risks similar to those faced by professional firefighters. Furthermore, due to differences in training, auxiliary methods, and physical conditions, they may encounter distinct risk factors and potentially higher disaster risks. This paper explores risk identification, control, and reduction for volunteer firefighters through organizational responsibilities and risk management perspectives, employing a group decision making model. Utilizing the Operational Risk Management Integration Tools (ORMIT) and the modified Delphi method, the analysis identifies 54 major risk factors for Taitung County's volunteer firefighters during disaster response duties. These risk factors are categorized according to the 5M model (Man, Machine, Media, Management, Mission), prioritized and addressed using the Main Operational Risk Management List (MOL) and the Risk Control Option Matrix (COM). After proposing corresponding risk control measures, the Average Risk Index (ARI) for the "Potential Risks in Volunteer Firefighters' Disaster Response Duties" decreased from 14.31 to 5.06. The Average Risk Rating (ARR) improved from a high-risk level (H-7) to a low-risk level (L-16). The results demonstrate that through risk identification, assessment, and control procedures, the potential risks faced by volunteer firefighters in disaster response can be significantly reduced.