How To Become A Volunteer Firefighter

Becoming a volunteer firefighter is an excellent way to give back to your community and make a difference. Not only will you be helping to keep your community safe, but you’ll also gain valuable skills and experience that can help you in your career. Plus, it’s a great way to meet new people and make friends. But before you can start fighting fires, you’ll need to go through some training and follow some steps to become a certified volunteer firefighter. Here’s everything you need to know about how to become a volunteer firefighter.

What Is A Volunteer Firefighter?

A volunteer firefighter is a person who is trained to respond to fires, medical emergencies, and other incidents in their local community. They are an unpaid member of the fire department who puts their safety at risk to help protect others.

What Does A Volunteer Firefighter Do?

While the duties of a volunteer firefighter vary depending on the size and needs of the department, there are some common duties that all volunteer firefighters perform to support career firefighters.

One of the most important duties of a volunteer firefighter is responding to emergency calls. When a call comes in, it is the responsibility of the volunteer firefighter to suit up in their gear and head to the scene as quickly as possible. Depending on the nature of the call, the volunteer firefighter may be required to perform tasks such as putting out fires, assisting in search and rescue efforts to find missing ones, rescuing individuals from burning buildings or vehicles, conducting traffic incident management after a vehicle crash and secure the safety of pedestrians, or providing medical assistance.
In addition to responding to calls, volunteer firefighters also spend time performing administrative tasks. These tasks can include anything from maintaining equipment to keeping records up-to-date. Administrative duties are crucial to keeping a fire department running smoothly and efficiently.
Firefighters also conduct fire safety inspections. These inspections are typically conducted at commercial properties such as office buildings and factories. During these inspections, firefighters will look for any potential fire hazards and provide recommendations on how to mitigate them. They will also ensure that all exit routes are clear and that the fire extinguisher is properly serviced and up-to-date.
When they’re not fighting fires or responding to emergencies, volunteer firefighters are typically on call at the fire station. During this time, they eat and sleep and perform general upkeep around the station. They may also be called upon to provide public education about fire safety or participate in community outreach events.

Steps For Becoming A Volunteer Firefighter

The process of becoming a volunteer firefighter varies from department to department. However, some general requirements must be met to become a volunteer firefighter.

1. Check Your Qualifications

First, interested individuals must be at least 18 years old (21 in some departments). They must also possess a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). In addition, potential volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. Some fire departments require interested individuals to undergo a background check and drug test before being accepted into the department.

Most fire departments have certain requirements for volunteers, such as age, physical fitness, and educational level. Make sure you meet the criteria before applying to become a volunteer firefighter.

2. Attend An Orientation Course

Once you’ve determined that you can qualify to be a volunteer firefighter, attend an orientation course or training program at your local fire department. This will give you an overview of the job and provide you with the skills you need to be successful.

3. Complete A Volunteer Firefighters Training Program

After attending an orientation course, you’ll need to complete a firefighter training program. The length of time spent at the academy varies depending on your state’s requirements, but it typically lasts between four and six weeks. During your time at the academy, you’ll receive training in CPR, first aid, emergency medical responder, fire suppression techniques, emergency medical technician training, and hazardous materials handling—just to name a few things. You’ll also have the opportunity to practice what you’ve learned in simulated situations so that you’re prepared for anything when you’re out on calls.

4. Obtain A Firefighter Certification

Once you’ve completed the training program, you’ll need to obtain a firefighter certification from your local fire department. This is usually issued after passing an exam and demonstrating that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to be a volunteer firefighter.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends 110 hours of formal training if you do not enroll in formal training. This training is often provided by the fire service you intend to join.

5. Start Volunteering

After you have completed the necessary training and passed the physical examination, you will usually be required to complete an interview process before you can become a volunteer firefighter. The interview process allows the local department to get to know you better and make sure that you are committed to becoming a volunteer firefighter.

Once you have completed all of the necessary steps, it’s time to join the volunteer firefighting team! This is usually done by attending a swearing-in ceremony where you will take an oath promising to serve your community as a volunteer firefighter. After taking the oath, you will officially be part of the team!

Conclusion

As a volunteer firefighter, it will be your responsibility to respond to fire and emergency calls in your community. You will also be expected to participate in regular drills and training sessions so that you can keep your skills sharp and be ready for anything.

We hope that this blog post has given you some insight into what it takes to become a volunteer firefighter. As we said before, volunteering as a firefighter is a great way to give back to your community and help others in need—plus, it can be a really rewarding experience! If you think that becoming a volunteer firefighter is something that interests you, we encourage you to find out more about your local department and see if they have any open positions.