Which type of staffing typically involves personnel who are available for call when needed?

The correct choice is paid-on-call staffing. This type of staffing model is characterized by personnel who are not permanently stationed at a fire station but are available to respond to emergencies when called upon. Paid-on-call firefighters typically have other jobs or commitments but are compensated for their time and responses to incidents.

This system allows fire departments to maintain a level of staffing without the need for full-time employees at all hours, making it a cost-effective solution for managing emergency response. Paid-on-call personnel undergo training and are expected to have the skills necessary to respond effectively when summoned.

In contrast, career staffing involves full-time firefighters who are always on duty, while volunteers consist of individuals who respond to emergencies on a purely volunteer basis, typically without direct compensation. Combination staffing includes both career and volunteer firefighters, which may not directly align with the definition of being “available for call” since it involves a mix of accessibility and scheduled duty. Thus, paid-on-call truly embodies the essence of being available for immediate response as needed.