Volunteer Today
Joining a volunteer fire department is an incredibly rewarding way to make a positive contribution to your community. It is often a stepping stone to starting a career in a full-time fire department. That said, it’s not something that everyone can undertake. It takes a great deal physical stamina and mental strength to make this kind of commitment.
As a volunteer firefighter, you’ll be expected to:
Keep a clear head in life-or-death situations.
Maintain your composure when assisting traumatic events like auto crash injuries and fatalities.
Put yourself in extreme situations, such as going into burning buildings, crawling through tight spaces and entering other hazardous environments.
Most volunteer fire departments want you to devote a minimum amount of time to service, so make sure you have time in your schedule and the flexibility to make that work. It also means that you must have the time to devote to the requisite firefighter training course. The length of the training can vary by state and the level of certification required — a Firefighter I certification may take six months of attending class two to three days per week.
You must also commit to staying in great physical condition to maintain the stamina to perform the necessary firefighting tasks. Eat right, exercise and reduce or eliminate habits that can adversely affect your health, like tobacco and alcohol use.
