Any volunteer fire fighters?

[Husky01]

Was curious as to if anyone here is or has been a volunteer firefighter. I am currently looking into volunteering my services down at the local station. I was just curious as to if anyone here is one and if so what kind of steps you personally had to take to become a volunteer fire fighter, what time of time commitment you had to have and what not. Do you really love the job? and would you recommend someone else do it while working there way through college?

[dkff49]

I don't so much any more but volunteering as a firefighter was one of the best things I have done. It helped to push me into my current career (EMS) and helped me to make some great friends.

Every place is a little different. The best suggestion I can give you is go down to the local station and ask questions as to training requirements (most places will not only supply but pay for as well). Also ask about any time requirements, some have that type of thing and some don't.

It won't be easy but it is a great deal of fun and the first time you help someone else out you will be on cloud nine knowing you did the right thing.

I would never trade my experiences for anything else in the world.

[Delirium]

I volunteered as an EMT in a town not too far from where I live. Since the EMS team was all volunteer, they could afford really nice equipment including an ambulance that had surround sound and screens to watch TV/movies (back in the 90s, this was unheard of).

It is good for the experience, particularly if you stay in the field. Volunteering also also looks great on college/employment applications.

[Swager]

I am a volenteer fireman.  Just did a call last night and one this morning.  As others have mentioned, just go down to the nearest station and start asking questions.  I had to fill out an application (this will be for police check too), take a basic physical test (eyes, hearing, lung capacity, blood pressure).  I had to get voted in at the monthly meeting.  Right after that they issued my turnout gear and beeper.  Once this happens I started answering calls. I got booted from the truck a few times due to I was a noob non-structured firefighter.  In our district a fireman cannot fight structure fires until Fire Fighter 101 course is complete, and you are deemed ready by Department officers.  But you can help at the scene and assist during medical calls and Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA).  Make as many calls as possible, almost every scene is different.

They sighned me up for the Annual Firefighter 101 course which was every Wednesday night (4 hours) went from Sept to March.  We also trained on some Saturdays.  Our last practicle we went to Monroe County Fire Training Center near Rochester, NY for our full day fire fighting excercises.  IT was a blast!
My next steps are Fire Fighter II and Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) Training.  I really enjoy it and have no regrets!  Getting up at 3:30 AM, rushing out the door to the station going to help someone you never met, has a certain rush to it.  The people at my station are the best and I feel honored to serve with them.  Good Luck!

[lowZX14]

I have been a volunteer firefighter and Lieutenant combined for over 8 years with a little military service thrown in the middle.  My dad has been one since before I was born and worked at the department that I volunteer at being as that it is a combination paid/volunteer dept.  I also worked as a paid firefighter for a little while before some other opportunities came up.  The best thing to do is like the other folks have posted.  Go down there and start asking questions, most guys will be more than happy to fill you in and with the decreasing numbers of volunteers in this country over the past decade or so, they definitely want your help.  They can let you know whatever the state, county/local govt., township/city, and department require of you as far as education, testing, physical constraints, time, etc.  As far as time goes, it all depends on what training, fund raising, duty shift times, etc. that they have there.  Different departments do things different ways.  I know of some that require the fire fighters to respond to the station to get on the trucks and do not allow personal vehicles at a scene, and there are some like mine that the volunteers drive straight to the scene.  So, long story short (too late for that), is to do like everyone else has said and go down there and ask as many questions as you can.  It's much easier on them and you to find out if you truly have the time and desire before hand, than to get 6 months into it and decide you don't have the time or desire, then you have wasted both theirs and your time and money. 

Good luck to you and hopefully you'll find your way to joining the brotherhood (sisterhood too for those that make me be p.c.).

[Twister2]

I spent 10 years as a volly and have been a full time paid firefighter for the past 13 years. I love the job. It all depends on what kind of department it is. Most will pay for all the required training which will also help should you choose to persue a career in emergency services. Where are you located?

[mensa180]

... I am currently looking into volunteering my services down at the local station....

I lol'd.

[Selino631]

I regret not becoming a voulenteer when i first thought about it 2 years ago..

[Husky01]

Thanks for the insight everyone. I actually dropped off my application today and got my finger prints taken for my background check while I was up there. The lady who was working with me was extremely helpful with answering my questions and what not. She said that sometime next week the head guy should call me and have me come back in to take a written test (She says its not firefighter related so I don't know what it means? But she said it would be fine.) Once my background check goes through, my driving record comes through clean, and I complete the written test Ill be called back in for a interview and a agility test in the same session.

Here is hoping all goes well.

O and does anyone know what the written test is?

[Tupac]

I lol'd.

I caught that aswell

[Ghosth]

I was for years when I lived in a small village, now I live in Fargo ND and I'm getting older, so let the pro's do it.

Just walk in and start asking questions, let them know your interested and see what happens.

[RTGorkle]

I was in the Volunteer Bushfire Brigade for a few years. (Ex)Wife was too. I remember we were both on-call one weekend, with the truck parked out the front of our place. Got called out only to find she'd locked the keys in it. Awesome.

Then there was the time I was rushing in my car to the station to pick up the truck. Locked the brakes up on the gravel and slid my car right into the front of the tanker. I can still see all the guys out the front waiting for me, doubled up with laughter....