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Volunteer firefighting and family life: an organisational perspective on conflict between volunteer and family roles

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Volunteer firefighting and family life: an organisational perspective on conflict between volunteer and family roles. / Cowlishaw, Sean; McLennan, Jim; Evans, Lynette.
In: Australian Journal on Volunteering, Vol. 13, No. 2, 2008, p. 21-31.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

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Cowlishaw, Sean ; McLennan, Jim ; Evans, Lynette. / Volunteer firefighting and family life : an organisational perspective on conflict between volunteer and family roles. In: Australian Journal on Volunteering. 2008 ; Vol. 13, No. 2. pp. 21-31.

Bibtex

@article{37d4378d235f41fa9d3d53357530101b,
title = "Volunteer firefighting and family life: an organisational perspective on conflict between volunteer and family roles",
abstract = "Protection to Australian communities from bushfire and other emergencies is provided mostly by volunteers. However, declining volunteer numbers have forced emergency service agencies to consider factors impacting adversely on volunteer retention. The current study provides an organisational perspective on the difficulties of balancing volunteering and family commitments through semi-structured interviews with managers of Australian volunteer fire-fighters. A thematic analysis of interviews identified several themes, including: volunteers' difficulty prioritising family needs ahead of brigade responsibilities; leaving household and business responsibilities with family members; a lack of time with family; and interruptions to family routines and activities. Findings are discussed in the context of existing research and a theoretical model of Work-Family Conflict, and inform recommendations for agencies to support families and minimise conflicts between volunteer fire-fighting and family life.",
keywords = "Work and family, Volunteers, Volunteer fire fighters",
author = "Sean Cowlishaw and Jim McLennan and Lynette Evans",
year = "2008",
language = "English",
volume = "13",
pages = "21--31",
journal = "Australian Journal on Volunteering",
issn = "1325-8362",
number = "2",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Volunteer firefighting and family life

T2 - an organisational perspective on conflict between volunteer and family roles

AU - Cowlishaw, Sean

AU - McLennan, Jim

AU - Evans, Lynette

PY - 2008

Y1 - 2008

N2 - Protection to Australian communities from bushfire and other emergencies is provided mostly by volunteers. However, declining volunteer numbers have forced emergency service agencies to consider factors impacting adversely on volunteer retention. The current study provides an organisational perspective on the difficulties of balancing volunteering and family commitments through semi-structured interviews with managers of Australian volunteer fire-fighters. A thematic analysis of interviews identified several themes, including: volunteers' difficulty prioritising family needs ahead of brigade responsibilities; leaving household and business responsibilities with family members; a lack of time with family; and interruptions to family routines and activities. Findings are discussed in the context of existing research and a theoretical model of Work-Family Conflict, and inform recommendations for agencies to support families and minimise conflicts between volunteer fire-fighting and family life.

AB - Protection to Australian communities from bushfire and other emergencies is provided mostly by volunteers. However, declining volunteer numbers have forced emergency service agencies to consider factors impacting adversely on volunteer retention. The current study provides an organisational perspective on the difficulties of balancing volunteering and family commitments through semi-structured interviews with managers of Australian volunteer fire-fighters. A thematic analysis of interviews identified several themes, including: volunteers' difficulty prioritising family needs ahead of brigade responsibilities; leaving household and business responsibilities with family members; a lack of time with family; and interruptions to family routines and activities. Findings are discussed in the context of existing research and a theoretical model of Work-Family Conflict, and inform recommendations for agencies to support families and minimise conflicts between volunteer fire-fighting and family life.

KW - Work and family

KW - Volunteers

KW - Volunteer fire fighters

M3 - Journal article

VL - 13

SP - 21

EP - 31

JO - Australian Journal on Volunteering

JF - Australian Journal on Volunteering

SN - 1325-8362

IS - 2

ER -