Any new ideas for a website?

[Nagrom]

http://www.bfd.2ez2.ca

A few other individuals and I have been given the task of website upgrade/upkeep. What I am curious about from you guys and gals is what things should be changed. I know someone did a lot of hard work on this, but it is time to redesign. Leave any sugessstions you have.

Things I am looking into already...

Some type of run log to keep anyone in the public updated on whats happening. A neighboring department does a once a month log of the types and quantities of calls that are recieved.

Updated pictures on the membership

Something about our extrication teams, who have been doing really well in local competitions

Updated pictures/info on our apparatus

I think our current website is a bit too "flashy". Some of the graphics don't make the site look very professional. I also do not know where the pink colour scheme came from. We are currently working on a new hall, and I am hoping that an upgraded, professional website will allow us to reach out to the public better, and show them what is happening, and be able to advertise events and such...

So any feedback, let me know. I've been surfing some other deparmtnets websites, trying to find things of interest, things to avoid...

Thanks

[firefighter26]

It looks like the building blocks are there to start with, so that will save you some time. The big thing about FD websites is that after you have been on a few, they all start looking the same. Call stats. Truck pictures. Almost EVERY site has a picture of a group of guys standing in front of a structure fire.

Not that having those things are bad!

I've been working on our department's website for about 6-7 months now and I tried to put a bunch of different things up there.

sookefire.com

Recently, however, we have been having some discussion from the members about security and privacy issues, especially concerning the placement of department member names, etc, on the website. Some of our members work for the prison system so they don't necessarily want to have their names and photos onlines, just in case some of their "co-workers" decide to look them up one day.

So, the last few days I spent stripping out everything with department members names until a secure section can be developed with a login verification to protect that information.

As such, the website as it currently sits is a lot more sparse than it normally is. We usually have a copy of the FD newsletter, platoon list, duty officer lists, FR crew lists, cooking lists, comittee members, and our constitution.

Just something to consider and discuss with your members.

[Nagrom]

I think that is a good idea. Most people around know mostly everyone on the department, but honestly, having your info everywhere isn't a good thing (said while talking on a forum, oh well). Thanks for the ideas. Nice looking site BTW

[uzbek]

Hi. First off, thanks for the links...I'll add them to my links page at http://www.firetruckarchive.ca/firelinx.htm (note cleverly inserted plug) when I do my next update.

As an apparatus photographer, my thing is seeing trucks and info about them. I know it sounds pretty basic, but there are lots of FD sites that don't have photos or any info, and a few that don't keep it up to date. History is good too. And I would agree with Sooke's policy on info on firefighters - I see lots of pages listing every member of a fire department with names and e-mails. I'm not sure I would want my face on there.

You have a login on the front page - what sort of stuff do you have in a members-only area? This can be a great way to communicate among members in a private way - sort of an intranet.

Maybe a construction blog as your new building goes up?

Just don't be like http://www.crestonbc.com/firedept/ - no updates since 2000.

[Brydon]

Take a look at our site, I try to keep things updated and interesting.

Contact me if you want to know about some of our stuff.


http://www.lancasterfire.site40.net

[Nagrom]

Hi. First off, thanks for the links...I'll add them to my links page at http://www.firetruckarchive.ca/firelinx.htm (note cleverly inserted plug) when I do my next update.

As an apparatus photographer, my thing is seeing trucks and info about them. I know it sounds pretty basic, but there are lots of FD sites that don't have photos or any info, and a few that don't keep it up to date. History is good too. And I would agree with Sooke's policy on info on firefighters - I see lots of pages listing every member of a fire department with names and e-mails. I'm not sure I would want my face on there.

You have a login on the front page - what sort of stuff do you have in a members-only area? This can be a great way to communicate among members in a private way - sort of an intranet.

Maybe a construction blog as your new building goes up?

Just don't be like http://www.crestonbc.com/firedept/ - no updates since 2000.

There is nothing that we know of in the members only area. This is one of those things we'd like to look into.

[JrFFHopeful308]

One subject I found important for a department website was HOW to get on the department. I went on every department site my mutual aid system has and read their hiring requirements, as well as googling various hiring questions I had (I was a little obsessed). I found it very educational to read how and when each department recruits. Since most volunteer FDs are crying for members, making recruiting info readily available on the web should be a good thing. It's nice to have the application form available in .pdf (or similar format) as well, so any potential rookie can print it out themselves and mail it to the chief, or whoever handles that part of the FD.

...Just my $0.02...

[Brydon]

One subject I found important for a department website was HOW to get on the department. I went on every department site my mutual aid system has and read their hiring requirements, as well as googling various hiring questions I had (I was a little obsessed). I found it very educational to read how and when each department recruits. Since most volunteer FDs are crying for members, making recruiting info readily available on the web should be a good thing. It's nice to have the application form available in .pdf (or similar format) as well, so any potential rookie can print it out themselves and mail it to the chief, or whoever handles that part of the FD.

...Just my $0.02...

I love it and I will be adding this to our site with the next update, thanks.

Scott