Many people forget that the majority of firefighters in the United States are volunteer firefighters, meaning they acquire no fiscal imbursement for their courageous services to preserve life and property. When joining a volunteer fire department there is a lot of initial hurdles an applicant must jump over.
The Very Beginning
To even start the process of becoming a volunteer firefighter an applicant must obtain an application from their local department. Some departments have a small fee that must be paid upon the return of an application. After you submit the application you play the waiting game.
It can be days, weeks, or even months before the fire department responds. Logically people will think that they’ll take members in right away, but there’s a lot of paperwork to go through. Plus, most departments only take in members at specific times of the year for training purposes.
When you do get called, at least they did this in my department, there will be a small meeting where multiple officers (including Chiefs, Lieutenants, ect) and board members will interview you. Subsequent to the interview, if they agree to take your application further, you’ll be mandated to take a medical evaluation. This evaluation includes a drug test, lung capacity, and some other tests to ensure you’re physically able to perform.
Eventually your results will come in. If everything went according to plan than you’ll be taken in at a department meeting.
The Real Beginning
This is where the real beginning starts – the training. Training in the volunteer fire service is everything. Training is necessary, can save your life, and prevents you from hurting others while in the procress of helping others. Keep in mind that there’s a large liability in the fire service. For example – you get to a house fire, jump off of the rig without a pack and an axe in hand, and start cracking windows. What did you do wrong? 1. You didn’t get instructions from your commanding officer; 2.) You got off of the rig without SCBA; and 3.) You started cracking open windows, frying anyone that may have been alive inside. This is why we train – to better understand the dynamics of fire so we can help people in need.
Some departments do in-house training – mine did. We did about six months of training prior to going to the Fire Academy. The Fire Academy, for a large amount of fire deparments, is their “real” start. When I got to the Fire Academy there were probationary members that had never worn a pack, never held a tool, never held a hose, and had never conducted a search.
You can see what to expect at the Fire Academy here.
The Fire Academy is a combination of classroom and hands-on training that exceeds 100 hours of training.
Ready For The Ride
Even during your Fire Academy training you may be able to ride the apparatus and help at scenes. I have to warn you – some of the things that you’ll see may disturb and/or traumatize you.
I remember the first time that I saw a person in cardiac arrest, laying on the floor. She was laying there – lifeless – while chest compressions were being implemented. I’ve seen people after being assaulted. I’ve seen bad car accidents. I’ve seen a lot.
Truthfully, you become numb to theses images and instances over time. Of course there will always be certain cases where the feelings of anxiety will get to you, whether it be that there’s a fatal car accident or a child is involved in an emergency.
Maintaining Yourself
Throughout your volunteer firefighter career you’ll have to maintain a certain amount of trainings and calls for a certain amount of time. My department, for a new member, mandates that they have at least 10 trainings and 152 calls (or points) per year. As a new member you’ll be the one to also perform some miniscule duties, such as being the one to pack a lot of hose, perform mundane tasks like helping set up for a training, and be on the butt end of a lot of jokes.
In the fire service you’ll either develop thick skin or have a horrible time. A lot of members like to joke around, so you need to be able to take it. As a new member I suggest not stirring up any problems, but you can retaliate lightly. If someone says something that truly bothers you, than take it to an officer.
Aside from that, maintain your points. Show your face. Ask questions. The old timers are some of the best sources of information (and great stories), so befriend them as soon as you can. Don’t act pompous or arrogant, and don’t be naive.
There will be times where you get a cramp in your stomach from something you’re about to go into. I remember one night, at a probationary training with my department, it was chilly out. It was decided that we were taking the ladder truck out and going over the rig. So, we went to a vacant parking lot (where an old Home Depot still was) and set up the tower ladder. A couple of us at a time, with the addition of a seasoned firefighter, went up about 95 feet in the bucket. I was never too keen on heights, so this got to me slightly. On the descent we met other firefighters ontop of the old Home Depot – the portion in which we were going to was composed of a light metal. The others had gotten up by utilizing an extension ladder. While we were up on the roof it was very slippery. The training firefighters showed us some ventilation techniques by making pretend to use some venitlation tools on the roof. Soon it was time to descend – and I was using the ladder to get down. Now, I’ve used ladders many times before, but tonight there was many different variables: I was in bunker gear, which was bulky, the roof was wet and slippery, there was extra pressure, and I had to carry down a saw, too. I remember just looking down and thinking how terrible that it could go – I could fall and hurt or even kill myself. But you need to go with your instincts, stick to your training, and you’ll be fine.
The Long Run
Overall, there are a lot of perks of being in the fire department. Some states allow their members to equip emergency lights to their vehicle to expedite response times. In New York, firefighters get a property tax discount. Some of the local establishments may give discounts – Best Buy gives 10% off. Some departments offer small pensions to their members after they’ve successfully been in the department for a duration of time.
But money isn’t the reason you’re joining. Or, at least, it shouldn’t be the primary reason you’re joining. Applicants should want to join to better their community by helping their neighbors in a time of need.
