Public Service and Entrepreneurship: The Balancing Act
Managing the responsibilities of public service while running a small business can seem like a formidable task. Indeed, many professionals find themselves juggling full-time or volunteer emergency roles with the demands of their privately owned businesses. The experience of these professionals, however, shows that public service and entrepreneurship are not mutually exclusive but can instead complement and reinforce each other.
Shared Values: Leadership, Resilience, and Time Management
One such professional is Sean Reffner, a seasoned emergency responder with over a decade of frontline experience, who also owns a tree care company. He believes that public service and business are not separate realms. Rather, they share common values, including the commitment to community, the drive to build something sustainable, leadership, resilience, and time management. These shared values can provide a useful case study for entrepreneurs considering public service work.
The Demand for Public Service in the U.S.
Public service, particularly in the domain of fire and emergency services, depends significantly on volunteers. According to the National Volunteer Fire Council, volunteers constitute 65% of the nation’s over 1 million firefighters. This means that approximately 676,900 out of 1,041,200 firefighters across the country serve without pay. Most fire departments in the U.S. are not career-staffed. Of the total 29,452 fire departments, 18,873 are entirely volunteer-run, while another 5,335 are mostly volunteer.
These volunteers respond to a variety of emergencies, including fires, medical incidents, vehicle accidents, and natural disasters. They provide communities with vital services, saving localities an estimated $46.9 billion each year on staffing costs. Nevertheless, the workload for these volunteers has increased over the years as volunteer numbers have declined. The number of volunteer firefighters hit an all-time low in 2020, a trend attributed to more rigorous training requirements, longer commutes, and the prevalence of two-income households.
Running a Small Business: A Case Study of a Tree Care Company
On the other side of the balancing act is the operation of a small business. In Sean Reffner’s case, this involves running a tree care company, a sector within the broader ground maintenance industry. Tree care professionals use specialized equipment to remove dead wood, clear utility lines, and maintain safety around homes, businesses, and public spaces. Like many small businesses, a tree care company must navigate unpredictable weather, seasonal swings in demand, and regulatory requirements. It also requires investment in training, both for tree work and emergency response, to reduce accidents and increase trust.
Leadership, Resilience, and Time Management: The Key to Balance
Leadership, resilience, and time management form a triad of skills that can bridge the gap between public service and entrepreneurship. Effective time management is crucial in both domains, as is resilience. Firefighters face high rates of injuries and illnesses and must cope with traumatic incidents. Similarly, business owners confront financial uncertainty, client issues, and regulatory hurdles. Many volunteer departments and small business networks now provide counseling resources, mentorship, and peer support to help individuals manage these challenges.
Striking a Balance Between Professional Duty and Personal Enterprise
Striking a balance between public service and private enterprise requires strategic planning and support. Departments are increasingly accommodating volunteers’ work schedules, while small businesses are benefiting from the discipline and team cohesion learned in emergency services. Clear communication, delegation, and community support can enable individuals to honor their duty to serve while nurturing a thriving business.
Conclusion
Balancing public service with a small business is challenging but rewarding. The need for volunteer firefighters and emergency responders remains acute, while small businesses drive job creation and economic growth. However, the two paths can reinforce one another. Skills learned on the fireground, such as leadership, resilience, and time management, translate directly to entrepreneurship. With clear communication, delegation, and community support, individuals can honor their duty to serve while nurturing a thriving enterprise. The result is a stronger, safer, and more resilient community.
Read more about Sean Reffner’s journey of balancing public service and small business here.
