Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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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 -