Why You SHOULD Be A Volunteer Firefighter
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- Опубликовано: 29 май 2024
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I'm a 42-year-old career grape farmer living in a district where 80% of the department is Volunteers and always has been. Some of the largest wildfires in California have hit this county in the last 5 years. I start the Volunteer Academy 9/15.
Awesome God Bless you 🙏❤️🙌✝️
Good for you brother!! I'm in my late 40's and a career software engineer and I went to EMT school about 4 years ago and have been working for a volunteer fire department since then doing EMS. I started doing in-house firefighter training about 10 months ago and the chief recently approved me to go on any fire call. This was after we had a company come in and do some training in forcible entry, SCBA confidence, search and rescue, entanglement and RIT. I also went to a live burn in a surrounding community and was able to participate in an evolution where we stretched a 2.5" line through the basement, upstairs and attacked a live fire. I was on the nozzle and was able to practice an indirect attack and then power vent the room. Awesome! The chief was hiding in the corner, watching, and felt confident in what I did. He'd like for me to go to the academy but I don't really have the time so in-house training works. We have that company coming back to do hose advancement next. I've also been taking some online classes through the academy like Fire Attack, Electrical Hazards, Vehicle Fires, etc. Just got my bunker gear too... WOOT! It's been a lot of fun and you'll love it. Be safe and God bless.
@@rhoonah5849 that's awesome! Your enthusiasm comes through loud and clear. The department I'm joining has been staffed with the father's of many of my friends growing up. I've wanted to join for years. One obstacle or another was always in the way. In 2019 the Kincade Fire burned out of the mountains to the ranch where I live and work. I was just 2 years since another fire in the County made headlines for destroying a large part of Santa Rosa, the Tubbs fire. While Tunbs was burning smaller fire called the Pocket Fire was threatening our ranch. Since then I've been trying to make it work to join the department and it is finally time. Clearly the biggest challenge we face is large wildfires. I'm excited for the whole of it from medical calls to traffic accidents. When I was 14 I was being taken home from a friend's house by his mom and we came upon an accident not too far from where I live now. It was 1993 but she had a phone in the car and we called 911 and waited. Another friend's dad showed up, I remember how relieved my driver was. It was a double fatality accident and also 2 others survived. Two wooden crosses sat at the base of the tree for 25+ years until very recently when the property sold and a large architectural fence was installed. Events along the way that inspired. My own dad became a Reservist with the neighboring department a few years after that accident experience. Now it is my turn.
@@DHcrazed That's awesome brother that you are seizing your "turn". Rough times with all of those wildfires. Be safe and enjoy every minute of it.
Good luck! I just finished my EMT training and am hoping to join our local volunteer department soon up here in Placer county.
I have a few tips and a bit of advice I would like to share with anyone interested in volunteer firefighting. Fair warning, this is going to be pretty long winded. Coming from someone with about 1 year’s worth of experience on a rural/city volunteer fire department, just about everything on this channel about career firefighting is applicable to volunteering. Starting out is very exciting, but also super intimidating. Listen to the older guys, be a sponge, and ask loads of good questions. Also, volunteer for as many classes as possible if career firefighting is something you are serious about, but also to make yourself a more well rounded volunteer if you are planning on doing firefighting part time for the long term. On calls that aren’t very serious, use them to learn. Ask lots questions, most of the more experienced guys will be more than happy to let you run the nozzle or show you how to run the truck. On serious calls, follow everyone else’s lead, and if you aren’t sure of what to do, ask, or stay out of the way and observe until told otherwise, and ask questions afterwards (at least make it look like you are doing something though, or you will get your butt chewed). If you go on a call and see something on scene that you can’t get out of your head, call up one of the officers or guys that were with you on scene and talk it out. Also, be safe when responding to the station after getting paged out. I know that everybody wants to be on the first truck out, and you are probably jealous of that one mf that lives across the street from the station, but it isn’t worth causing a second emergency and having to divert attention from the original call. Anyone considering a career as a first responder in general, just make sure you fully understand what you are getting yourself into. You don’t really know how you will react to it until you witness it, but you will see gruesome things that the vast majority of the public never sees. After long enough on the department, your commute to work, or even just cruising through town and the surrounding area will be full of driving past scenes that you responded to in the past. A side of volunteering that doesn’t get talked about much, and really sets it apart from career firefighting in my opinion, is the fact that if you volunteer in a small community, chances are you have some sort of relationship with the person having the emergency. In my short experience that I have, I have known or known of numerous people that we were responding to. Just know that the department is like one big family, you may not like everyone there, you may even dislike some of the people on the department, but you all have each other’s back when it comes down to it. My respect and well wishes goes out to anyone pursuing this noble profession, be it as a career or volunteer.
Well said. I can't disagree with a single thing. I am coming at this as a person in his late 40's who started out in EMS for a volunteer department about 4 years go. I also started in-house fire training about 10 months ago and have been responding to a bunch of fire calls as well. It's been VERY rewarding. I have found myself doing EXACTLY has you suggest... asking lots of questions, doing my best to help in any way possible, staying out of the way when I don't know what to do and following the guy that knows what he is doing. The other guys are generally more than willing to step aside when it makes sense and let me run the nozzle or grab the halligan and pop a hood or something. Just the other day I responded to an AFA that we knew wasn't a real call and as I was putting on my gear, the LT says "Have you driven the engine yet?" I was like "nope" and he said "Well, you're driving today". It was the perfect call to get my feet wet on since it wasn't an actual emergency and there was plenty of space to maneuver the truck in at the scene. It was funny though on the way back as I turned into the station because he asked if I was ok to back the truck in and I replied "ahhh... we'll see". He laughed and then I backed that baby in perfect on the first go. He gave me a smile and said "Next time you're driving the ladder" LOL. That's got a 109' stick and is a little more intimidating. Haha.
Anyway, great advice and keep up the good work.
@@rhoonah5849 Don’t let the size intimidate you lol, wide turns just like the engine. My first couple of times backing the engine in still gets me made fun of 😂
@@anonymouspatriot5146 True but year those wide turns can be rough... lol. When I first started on the department, I raked one of the ambulances down the side of the building and she still has the scars to prove it... lol. And yup, I still get made fun of too.
You gotta start somewhere lol, I swear that they make the ambulance bays in hospitals as small as possible on purpose
@@anonymouspatriot5146 Yeah they are pretty dinky... lol. Thankfully it was our older ambulance (A2) so the chief wasn't too pissed with me. If it were A1 then the a$$ chewing would have been more severe. That's another reason why I'm afraid of driving the ladder... it is a 2019 KME and went for $950,000. Ouch!
I was a volunteer firefighter for 20 + years in a small semi-rural community adjacent to a larger suburb with a professional fire department. We received no pay whatsoever, but none of us aspired to a career in firefighting yet had a strong desire to contribute to our immediate community.
We had a mutual-aid agreement with that adjacent community and yes.......in many cases we did little more than clear the streets until the 'big boys' arrived. That said, volunteer firefighters in many instances are the ULTIMATE first responders. We trained to the best of our abilities and resources to be able to handle virtually any task that professional firefighters may have to take on and sometimes had to take on that role on virtually no notice. For example, when a home was sold and would be a tear-down/new build we would arrange to have that home 'smoked up' and respond to a call to a burning house in that structure for training purposes.
That came in very handy when addressing a home with a REAL fire where immediate response was needed. I have been in a live home fire and and did what was necessary to 1) insure all occupants were safely evacuated and then 2) do everything possible to contain the fire (both internally and exterior) to preserve everything possible until yes, the 'big boys' arrived. We responded to horrific auto accidents (one I remember was a head-on between a motorcycle with driver/passenger and a car) to provide medical assistance including CPR. Another time we responded to a home where a popular teenage girl committed suicide with her father's hunting rifle and somehow managed keep everyone else calm until the ambulance arrived (something that once seen can never be un-seen and thank GOD I didn't have to experience it as often as the pros likely do).
I cannot emphasize enough how fulfilling it can be to volunteer. Being paid matters not. You are the first line of defense even if you cannot totally finish the job for whatever reason. Being a volunteer firefighter is a truly noble pursuit.
I'm a disabled vet school bus driver and I'm currently talking to our chief about volunteering my time since I have a CDL with air brakes, passenger, school bus, and manual. I was quite excited when he said he could use me as a tanker driver in operations. Giving back feels so good and makes you feel like you have a bigger purpose. Life is short, be good to one another!
That’s literally what I want to do. I have a CDL and fully endorsed. Just give me a truck I’ll run that tanker.
I was a volunteer fire fighter in Wisconsin at age 15 in 1980 full time paid in April 1986 at age 20 almost 21 years old i retired in may 2021 after 35 years of service
I’m a volunteer firefighter in another country , it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve done I’ve learnt new experience each time
Just joined a volunteer station. About 3 weeks now and had my first 2 calls and was amazing. I'm so ready to learn more and go after emr or emt
Can you explain how joining went for people like myself who want to join? Did you need references and if so how many? Was there an interview and how was it like? How was your first meeting?
Thanks
@@hatersgotohell627 hey brotha. It depends on the state your in and if there are volunteer departments near you. For me. I’m in Texas and there’s a volunteer department near me. My chief ran a back ground check and did a interview with me. Nothing to serious. It just depends on the departments rules and how they handle that process. Every department is different. Now if u want to get hired on. At least in Texas you would need to be certified in firefighter 1 and 2 and be a emt in Texas to be a firefighter. But it always helps go ask. Go to ur department and let them know you wanna join or how to join a payed department. At its most simplest go to the station u want to join and ask. How can I get to where you are now. Good luck. Have fun and stay safe
I joined my local vol. fire dept. several years ago. We had a 100% call rate (never missed a call and never had a second page) this was something that our department prided ourselves on. I moved 6hrs away from home and tried joining another dept. where I moved to. Unfortunately this department was nothing like my old department. They miss calls all the time and straight up ignored calls. When I found this out I returned my gear and haven’t stepped foot back inside. Unfortunately they aren’t run very well where as with my last department I loved and respected my chain of command. At my old dept. I did every type of call from going in and helping an old lady who fell and couldn’t get back up (lift assist), to CPR and using an AED, to going inside a structure fire. But the new department had not wanted to do the fire and wreck calls and told me after I joined that they didn’t do the sick or lift assist calls.
I have an interview tomorrow for my local volunteer dept. Thank you so much for all the info you have given throughout your videos. It's really prepared me for this interview and what to expect moving foward!
Awesome. Hop it goes well for you
How did it go?
Hope it went well
As of last Thursday I am now a Probationary Volunteer Firefighter. There's only 18 of us on the department which serves 4.7 thousand people in a 45.2 square mile area (99% unhydranted)
i did that last summer but they also got sent out on alot of wild land fires which paid us really well and i walked away with 50k for a summers work lol
@@Darkdevil1584 holy fuck! You live out West don't you?
We have 12 volunteers that show up semi regular and we have an area of 288 square miles including 12 miles of I-40 in our district. 100% volunteer, no pay, except for the occasional Dr. Pepper from the fridge. We don't have medical in our department and just basic rescue, but we use mutual aid from the 9 other rural departments in our county and ambulances/medics from the small City in the county. If the weather is cooperative, we have access to life flight choppers. I have found a whole new family in the fire service. We have a hard time getting recruits, money, equipment and training, but we still plug away and do the best we can to help our neighbors. I have been in less than two years and have moved up to Batt. Chief (the equivalent of a Lieutenant in a big city fire service), have learned a bunch and I try to never stop learning. Good luck to all of you.
DRAFTING !
I joined my local volunteer department 6 months ago, I wish I would have done so sooner it’s been an amazing experience. I’ve already had some great training opportunities and hands on experiences. Looking forward to EMT school at the end of this year.
Can you explain how joining went for people like myself who want to join? Did you need references and if so how many? Was there an interview and how was it like? How was your first meeting? Was anything nerve wracking
Thanks
@@hatersgotohell627 Each department is different. My department requires one active member to sponsor or recommend you. My old department requires an interview. The application must be approved at a meeting and then you are sworn in at another meeting for a 6 month probation period. After the 6 months are up you get sworn in as an active firefighter.
I am 54 years old and a recruit at my local volunteer fire department. Our department is all volunteer, with the exception of the chief, deputy chief and assistant deputy chief. Some will say that I'm too old, but I'm in good health, good shape and eager to learn and help my community. Thanks for your videos and for your website - they're full of great information.
I just turned 31 and I want to do it and at the same time I am very worried. I also don't want to be mad at myself later down the road with a "what if" doubt.
I used to run a fire academy for a bit as the lead instructor, and we had some recruits come through in their 50s-60s. They were fit and determined, and turned out to be some great volunteer FFs. As long as you can handle the work, don't let anyone talk about your age. Go get em.
Served as a Volunteer Rural Firefighter and First Responder from 2010 to 2016, until PTSD took me out of uniform.
I'm proud of my service, but when the memories come back, I wish I had never signed up
Was a Volunteer FF/EMT for 22yrs from 1996-2018 leaving the services after having experienced enough chaos, destruction and death, having constant physical and mental stress I decided I had enough. I devoted myself to every community I lived in and trained hard and gave of myself without hesitation ir question. I was a deputy chief when I walked away. I miss it but having changed my career path I can't really don't have the time as I'm working 3-6 weeks at a time otr as an expediter and honestly walking away lifted a huge amount of weight and stress off me.
It can be a good experience but it can also take it's toll on your body and mind as well as the political drana and BS involved gets stressful as well.
Thank you for all your videos! I feel they've really helped me with my probabtion period and being a better volunteer firefighter. I've been volunteering for 4 months now and I love it. The best way to be involved and serve your community in my opinion. As a side note on the youth, my department have junior fire fighters where they can be as young 16. I wish I was 16 when I got started!
Viewing your content and seeing the differences between fire services in the US compared to home in Aus is quite mind blowing. Appreciate all your content 🍻
Hey man, im just here to say thank you for your videos. Im from Serbia, and I used a few tips from you for interview for a firefighter in a big firm in my hometown. Im trying very long to become a firefighter, and now they want to hire me. Im starting next week. Keep up good work and God bless you! AND ofc, im gona countinue to watch this beautifull chanell :)
I was a volunteer in California for 21 years, and loved it. One of my strongest memories is of the Tubbs Fire in 2017 - I was on initial attack. I ended up on our water tender for that fire (the fire was big enough we even rolled our ladder truck, and it actually fought vegetation fire).
Approaching the scene, my first memory is of 100-foot flames *sideways* through the treetops thanks to 80+ mph winds, and I knew right then this was going to be bad. In the initial chaos it took a few minutes to get my assignment, but I was assigned to support a group of engines along one of the flanks on the fire. I had a 2500 gallon tank, and the state engines I was supporting each held 500 gallons.
We were back in off the road a little bit, just a couple hundred feet from the flank, and the flames were massive... biggest I've ever seen. The pumping engine was flowing water continuously to the hose line for structure protection along that area, so I connected and filled him up. He was also using 4 other engines with him to support the water supply. I dropped our portable tank, but found someone had loaded it with a 3-foot gash in the bottom, so it was worthless. I ended up having to cycle through all the engines, first filling the pump engine, then each of the others, until I was empty and had to refill, filling 2 engines at a time while constantly connected to the pump engine. By the time I ran to a hydrant, filled, and returned, all four support engines were dry and the pump engine was nearly out, so the timing was right on the edge.
I continued that for 14 hours straight that first night into the next day, transferring more than 50,000 gallons in that 14 hours, but we were successful in holding the fire out of that complex. From there I was transferred to support some other hose lays, and ended up working non-stop for 34 hours before my relief. I did manage to grab a 2-hour nap in there on the second night though.
The work can be extremely rough and grueling sometimes, but it was fantastic, and I highly recommend anyone who's interested to just do it. You can quit if you decide it's not for you, but it's a once in a lifetime experience. I have hundreds of stories of different incidents as a firefighter, and pretty much every other firefighter will too. The excitement and sense of helping your community can't be matched - even if 80% of your calls are medical, and 98% of your calls aren't all that exciting.
We even did a couple of classic "cat in a tree" rescues.
hey how did you manage to dedicate so much time to volunteering without pay? did you also have a full time job?
@@anna-wt2tz I also had a full time job. Volunteer firefighters reasons any time, day or night, from home or work. I did leave work on occasion for emergencies.
Just started with a the fire service. Passed the recruitment process because of your videos. Especially the Interview!!! Thanks a bunch, much love from the UK 🇬🇧
I work in highway maintenance been with my local volunteer department for years. Love every minute
I had to evacuate during the Tubbs fire in 2020. It was incredibly chaotic and terrifying. That fire quite literally came out of nowhere in the middle of the night. I have a medical degree and was able to volunteer in the makeshift triage early that morning, there were a lot of people with burns, smoke inhalation and other medical issues caused by stress and anxiety. A lot of them were elderly..and having seen what I saw during that time period, and having seen the fires just get more and more intense as the years have passed, has had me thinking about going back to school for volunteer firefighting. Great video. Thank you!
Great video! I'm in a composite department and the volunteers are paid a minimum of 2 hours for responding to even a med call, as well they have a union and become certified level 1 and 2 with hazmat operations, they also have on and off duty death and injury insurance as well as many other opportunities to take courses and not only that some of these halls get a huge amount of calls. Great experiences and opportunities to be had as a paid on call vff. There are downsides as well one being if you serve where you grew up you will see people you know on their worst days.
2:47 so true. Speaking for my town, some places don't actually need a paid fire department. With enough well trained volunteers, we do extremely well, handling the incidents in our town. We get a couple small brush fires a year but very, very rarely do we have any sort of structure fire. Besides fire alarms (which are always "I burned my popcorn") and CO alarms, we mostly deal with car accidents and they rarely require us to use the Hurst Tools. We are also surrounded by other, good volunteer departments so extra help is never far away. Frankly, a paid, full time staff of firefighters would be a waste of money in my town.
Thanks for the video. I'm waiting the interview to be a volunteer. I'm really excited, this is so important to me. Your videos was been of a huge help and inspiration to me. Gretings from Venezuela
En cual estado Seras voluntario? Yo soy voluntario aqui en un pequeno departamento de Nuevo Mexico y de verdad ha sido una gran experiencia.
One of my favorite memories is having gone in to check my ambulance an hour early (at 1700) as a volunteer medic and hearing someone yell “get in, your driving!” and we spent the next 13 hours running back to back calls. I worked that night with a great career medic switching duties, AIC or driving, until we were out of gas on the first tank and pretty much on fumes on the other tank. Neither I nor he had any qualms with running calls as a career and a volunteer-both trained to do the job. We never bought in to the argument as to who was more qualified a NREMTP/FF or a volunteer medic, RN, CEN.
Great video. A couple of additional points. Most job applicants ask if you perform community service. Volunteering is an excellent addition to any job application. And being able to add that you are a volunteer firefighter increases your value to any workplace. Not everyone who join a volunteer FD will become a career FF. I know for a fact that one of the CFO’s for Chrysler Corporation was a volunteer FF for 25 years. Community Service and volunteering are great ways to stand out in the job market.
nice video! i am in my 45th year as an interior structural firefighter in a small dept located in Nassau County NY. we run between 1100 to 1200 calls per year covering a hair over 1 square mile. i can tell you today, becoming a volunteer takes a tremendous amount of time and effort from an individual just to get off probation. although the training is extensive at the fire service academy and on the dept level, dont assume that the day your sworn in, you'll be fighting actual fires. having been around when there were way more "working fires" then there are today, you may not even see a fire for months and months on end but dont let it discourage you, the day you save anothers life will make it all worth it!
From a Long Island Volunteer Fire department here in NY, being a volunteer was helpful for a number of our members who went on to become career firefighters in the FDNY. Long Island is principally all volunteer right up to the city border and a number of our trainers in the fire academy are members of the FDNY. While I was a Engine Lt. I made a point of taking advantage of our proximity to bring our members who were available to training programs given at the FDNY Academy on Randalls Island so I would absolutely say its a benefit besides helping your community.
I've been a volunteer for many years now ( started in 1994) and overall I would recommend it to anyone who wants fire experience.
However, there are some problem areas that you have to be aware of to make your experience worthwhile and to be fair, a lot of these issues don't present themselves (or you aren't aware of them) until you gain some meaningful experience. Your best time by far will be when you start out and are learning everything, so make sure to enjoy that process. It's really fun and exciting in the beginning.
The biggest problem is lack of consistency in the quality of your peers and command staff. Meaning some of your brothers-in-arms are really going to suck. The worst ones are going to be in charge of you or the scene, ones that allow egos or simple lack of knowledge to dictate how the operations are performed. It can be extremely frustrating working a scene knowing what you are doing is stupid or ineffective only because the IC doesn't know what he is doing, even though he may have rank. The problem is that in the volunteer world a lot of rank is attained through the good old boy system and not through any formal attainment that requires competency. I'm not saying this problem is everywhere or extremely commonplace but you will encounter it.
The other huge issue is consistency of standards. In my career dept. we had SOP's that dictated what our role was at any particular scene. In recruit school we had to memorize the entire SOP handbook ( it was large ) and we were regularly tested on our retention. In the volunteer world sometimes you will be lucky to even have a written SOP in place, much less an entire group of volunteers that have read it and understood it. This leads to some chaotic scenes at times that personally I hated because there was no need for it if only there had been a plan in place before the incident occurred.
We also had training standards in my career dept. that were a wish-list in my volunteer department. The result is that it was a crap shoot every run you made with the volunteers because you had no clue who was showing up and to what standard they were trained. This could be a good thing if you were competent because you always got a nozzle or made entry, but overall it is a bad policy.
If you ever watch RUclips videos you'll come across fire scenes that as an arm-chair quarterback you just find ridiculous. You'll scratch your head as to why these people look so foolish. It's because of the issues I've highlighted above. There was no plan in place and the people that showed up were either inexperienced or poorly trained, and many times the first arriving people or company can literally screw things up so badly that it is really hard to gain control once the initial decisions have been botched.
I would still recommend signing up because of the experience you will gain. Some of the best pump operators I know are volunteers because they don't have the luxury of a hydrant every 500 feet. Give these guys a shallow creek and they are good to go. You'll also get much more entry and nozzle time which is a lot of fun. And because of the problems I discussed you will become a much better rounded firefighter because you will have to deal with issues you wouldn't necessarily have to on a career dept. Plus you will be huge asset to any volunteer dept. once you are competent which is a good feeling.
I agree with you almost 100%. Over my 22 years as a firefighter, consistence truly is a huge issue. Ego also plays a terrible role. Our training is to NFPA standards. 120 mandatory hours of theory, practical training with exams, quizzes etc require before you get FF1 and get a pager. Than a years probation. Everyone must get Company Officer 1 also. You never know who will be IC so this is required of all. Every firefighter is trained to do EVERY job including ISO. In the next department over that is our mutual aid. No FF1 is required. No exams, theory or practicals. Just have to show up to a few practices and you get your pager and can respond.
what i’ve realized is that most volunteer departments require you to already be cerrtified in firefighting and EMT before you can apply
I “attempted” to volunteer at a very small volunteer fire department about 20 minutes away from my house. It wasn’t exactly what I expected it to be. If I remember correctly, this particular fire department actually had the second lowest call volume in town. I think they maybe had one or two calls a week or every two weeks, but it was usually assisting a larger fire department on their calls. You’re absolutely right about the training possibilities! With their small budget, they were still going to pay for us to get EMT certifications as well as our Firefighter 1 certifications, the only exception was that we would’ve had to sign a two year contract with the department.
During the time that I was there, I did ladder training and I did one night shift for a wildfire. Once my wife and I decided to have a baby, I left the department because I wanted to make more time for my family.
Can you explain how joining went for people like myself who want to join? Did you need references and if so how many? Was there an interview and how was it like? How was your first meeting? Was anything nerve wracking I'm kind of an introverted person who wants to join but it looks intimidating to walk into a fire dept almost like a police station lol
Thanks
I joined the volunteer fire department in the county I'm in when I turned 18 an when I graduated from high school an I been on the volunteer fire department for 3 years an this is my 4th year being on the volunteer fire department in the county I'm in it's so much fun
6:40 my dad's department called them quick calls and they were twice a month with more advanced training 2 to 4 times a year depending upon what it was that they were getting training for and those would take place at either the State fire academy or with one of the large cities fire departments or even at an airport my dad's department tried to train for as many different possible scenarios as they could
7:54 My dad's department paid for all of your training but you had to supply the transportation to get to that training and after so many years they'd even provide you with extra benefits such as life insurance that you could take with you after leaving the department I do believe it was a minimum of 5 years to receive those benefits as far as medical training you received your basic first responders training through them but if you wanted to become certified as an EMT or move up to become a paramedic from EMT then you would have to go out and get your own training as well as work for an EMS department because they were separate from the fire department where I grew up in upstate New York
I've been with my volunteer department going on 9 years now, absolutely one of the best choices I've made. Doing a little research on talking points to revamp our recruitment campaign, there are some great ones raised here. Cheers!
You're on a salary and receive benefits too ?
@@hbk1673 heck no. It's volunteer, we don't get benefits. Just a quarterly attendance-based stipend.
Hello Firefighter now. I just got hired at my local volunteer department because of your videos. I'm in the application process for the big city now. Thank you!
Congratulations Charlie! Good luck and keep me posted on how things are going.
@@mike_pertz What is your opinion on merging and introducing retainer payments
Thank You for this video. I was a volunteer for 30 + years. It wasn’t always easy but I don’t regret any of. As a navy veteran I had some firefighter training but it was all shipboard firefighting. After joining the volunteer fire department I eventually got my firefighter, emt, and rescue tech certifications. Our first due area consisted of everything from rural areas to the suburbs. Looking back being a volunteer gave me some of the best friends and memories I’ve ever had. If anyone reading this is thinking of “joining up” go for you’ll be glad you did.
Would you say going into the navy is worth it? Or would starting off in firefighter training be better to begin?
Joining my local volunteer FD has been the best thing I've ever done, love my job and I love the guys I serve with, so much passion for the work and community, lots of advancement opportunities and some lead into bigger departments
Can you explain how joining went for people like myself who want to join? Did you need references and if so how many? Was there an interview and how was it like? How was your first meeting? Was anything nerve wracking I'm kind of an introverted person who wants to join but it looks intimidating to walk into a fire dept almost like a police station lol
@@hatersgotohell627
It's not difficult, in Kentucky you need to pass the CPAT, which is a difficult physical test, get in the gym and work your butt off, this is a extremely physically demanding job.
Afterwards I had to do an interview in front of the whole department, they just asked me a couple of questions, nothing too difficult but it will be nerve-racking definitely, in this job you have to talk to lots of random people who are having a really bad day, having great social skills is a key skill to possess.
After a few weeks I received a phone call from the training officer, letting me know I was hired and the recruiter class will be starting in 2 months. I also received an e-mail asking my size in clothes etc, general questions.
When I started the recruit class it was every Thursday 6pm-11pm. We had certain topics we had to study at home from a textbook and take a test at the beginning of class. We then moved onto instruction and then to doing the skills. Wasn't extremely difficult but I was challenged everyday.
After 6-7 months of the class we graduated as probationary firefighters. That's where they keep an eye on you to make sure you learned your skills and know how to use them, and offer guidance and taught me more things.
Overall it's a great experience that put me in some uncomfortable situations which helped me grow out of my shell. I 100% recommend giving it a try, the job isn't easy and it's not for everybody, you have to do physical tasks under pressure and still be able to look at a patient or victim with a smile on your face and let them know everything will be okay. You will see horrible and destructive things, this job can give you cancer and PTSD, have a strong mind and a good crew behind you, supporting you all the way.
Hope this helps, I wish you the best of luck!
It can be difficult to get schooling in because we work 40 plus hours at our full time jobs, a lot of guys including myself take advantage of the state paid degrees. And the old days of entry level volunteers are long gone. I totally agree it is an amazing way to get an education in firefighting!
Just completed Firefighter 1 and am a newly minted certified firefighter. All your points are spot on. I have a great job, but I wanted to give back to this community so this is the way I do it. Thanks for the video
Just wrote the aptitude test last night. I'm omw to do the same thing brother.
I think the number one reason to be a volunteer FF is your community needs you. If you’re a hard worker, don’t mind getting dirty, and enjoy helping people your community needs you. We’re stretched thin and the calls won’t stop just because there are no responders. In my area if we don’t go when the tones drop…no one is coming. We don’t work side by side with full time guys (typically) we have our own large district that we have to respond to everything and we also back up our neighboring departments. Your community needs your help! They probably don’t know it yet, but they need you.
I work 2 departments, both on the vol side, but one I’m paid for the calls I respond to. The good news is both my departments back each other up.
I use to be a Vol. firefighter back in the 80's
My area is all volunteer. We get our guys as many pro-board certs as possible. I’m in a department that’s essentially a truck and engine company. We are all getting our BVR Tech certs and those that don’t already have EMT or greater are getting EMR. We also have the fireVEST program which essentially pays for an associate degree. Our volunteer departments are getting better trained and certified than some of the paid departments around.
thanks for this video it was vary helpful
Our local city fire chief started out as a volunteer jr. firefighter cut his teeth as a volunteer then became a paid union firefighter worked his way up the ranks and is now the chief of a nationally ranked department ! So for me volunteering is like basic training or apprenticeship training!!!
Joined my first vol department a little over a year ago and it was the best decision I've ever made. Now I'm on two departments thinking about three and i absolutely love it.
Wow so you joined a volunteer department first then went to a career department. I’m currently a recruiter for a volunteer department and start my Academy in two months after I graduate my Academy. I definitely do plan on joining a career department and most likely staying at my volunteer department.
my volunteer time was the greatest time in my life!!!!!!!!!
I just got accepted as a volunteer I work for the post office and told them I’m free after 4pm. My training starts in 2 weeks… I can’t wait
I've been a Volunteer Firefighter for over 35 years, started as a cadet and went on to an Academy. I have served in several states over the years and love serving my communities. I have seen a serious reduction in the membership of volunteers over the years. This breaks my heart to see and have been trying to counter act this for a while. If you are thinking of Volunteering on your local Department, please do so. We need more dedicated people.
In the state of Illinois you must have 24 hours of training to stay in good standing with both the state and your department (department is depending though)
I just recently signed up to be a volunteer fire fighter say a month ago is the best choice I ever made I wish I done it when I was younger but my department you have to have 150 hours in two years and then you can go for your 400s we’re not rescue we’re just fire but there is an auto department who is into rescue and and fire but we’re really small community I think you for your video I really liked it
Can you explain how joining went for people like myself who want to join? Did you need references and if so how many? Was there an interview and how was it like? How was your first meeting? Was anything nerve wracking I'm kind of an introverted person who wants to join but it looks intimidating to walk into a fire dept almost like a police station lol
Thanks for this video. I’ve been thinking about being a firefighter when I’m older, and my dad and others say it’s better to work for a volunteer company for the experience before being a career firefighter.
I wouldn't trade the volunteer Fire/EMS experience for anything (1984-2018) and I will always be a positive advocate for it. I have great memories (and some sad ones) of the times I had. Just keep one thing in mind... drama and politics are a sad fact in any form of volunteerism and can be a determining factor towards if you are going to stay in it or not. If you're serious about the experience and enjoy what you're doing do your best to keep away from drama and politics and keep going. You are a very valuable asset to the community and will have great experiences and memories in the future.
I've been a volunteer FF in my town (and the greater area) since last November, graduated FF1, FF2 & HazMat in April. Honestly, it's the best decision I've made. Not only do I get to provide meaningful help to residents in my community, but I also have found a brotherhood that I can take pride in. I'm able to work on my skills to better myself as a FF and help the community when they need us the most. We've got 31 active members that show up when there's work to be done. Hoping to make 20+ years and/or move to full-time if I ever move closer to a larger town/city that has a full-time dept.
Can you explain how joining went for people like myself who want to join? Did you need references and if so how many? Was there an interview and how was it like? How was your first meeting? Was anything nerve wracking I'm kind of an introverted person who wants to join but it looks intimidating to walk into a fire dept almost like a police station lol
Great video
I’ve been a volunteer since 2007 and it’s one of the last great American traditions that’s unfortunately falling I believe due to the higher expectancy of training hrs and longer work hrs including weekends as we are expected to preform at the same level as payed while working full time jobs and they have all day to dedicate to the training set forth but there state. I’m not the most religious person but I know the Bible says the best thing you can do is lay your life for another and does not say payed or not. We are in big need of volunteers nation wide and times are changing but it’s the biggest part of my life other then immediate family and in most communities the fire station is the heart of the community with fund raising, bingos, raffles, etc.
Awesome video! Unfortunately, many cities are not allowing volunteer or training academy’s for their fire departments due to Covid )):
Best job ive ever had i love it and will do it as long as the good lord lets me in my area Southern Missouri i would say atleast 80% of the departments in my area are volunteers i can think of only 2 that are paid and neither one of them are close to my or service my area without volunteers 75 or 80% of us just wouldn't have fire or EMS protection in rural areas so yeah we are very important. Not everyone lives in a larger city where those paid departments are.
I’m 41 going on 42 and I’m a Vollie and a probie. I absolutely love it, I think it’s more noble doing what we do we risk it all for FREE! I live on Long Island 99% of the companies are Vollies, 1 paid it’s in Long Beach and they have 17 total. My company is busy as hell my area is nice but as a truck we respond to a few sketchy areas as a fast truck so we see good fire duty, plus we have a rescue truck as well in my station. Only thing I will say is if your older like I am really think about it, it’s a young mans game so before you even join get your body right. Do 45-1 hour of cardio per day, train higher reps in the gym 12-15 and keep your BF in control. My first go around in my old town I was 250 pounds chubby I had a very hard time I almost had a heart attack at a hoarder house training my heart was beating so fast I thought it was gonna stop, no fire neither just fake smoke and heat. I’m 6’0 and I now weigh 205 so I’m a absolute beast. The guys nicknames me animal but take this advice and if your out of shape you won’t make it so get in shape before you even think about joining! Learn from my mistake!
Y’all I just passed FF50 and I’m working at my new station. So ready for this journey.
Another thing I'll suggest adding is, in the volunteer setting, i have seen a more variety of people and acceptance than staffed departments. This isn't saying that volunteer depts are nicer, better or anything, but in my area we have full time departments in in the 2020s just now praising for having their first female firefighter or minority firefighter. While a volunteer dept in the same area has had minority firefighters since the fire dept was founded (1940s) and female firefighters since the 1970s.
The perk of variety of people is on a volunteer dept, I have had medical doctors, structural engineers, tow truck operators, military, steel workers, teachers, preachers, counselors, mayors, dispatchers, nurses, fire marshall and much more while at staffed depts, most (though not all) work mainly public service sector (ems/fire or other medical) only. Having a tow operator on an unstable car crash is beneficial. Having a mental health counselor on a psychiatric call is beneficial. Having a state fire marshall on a suspected arson fire is beneficial. And these people can teach well beyond just learning through the lens of the fire department.
Im 14 and I live near a firestation and me and my friend went into the house and they talked to us about what to be prepared for and what to expect to get paid our dues and manage the job/the training and we got our papers and signed up and I just wanna know the benefits before I give the signed papers to the chief tomorrow alfter school
I love the video
i just joined my fire stations junior program, i’m 15 and looking to become a firefighter once i’m out of highschool
I don't know about anyone else, but honestly, I actually consider volunteer firefighters as truly the real firefighters because they sign up to do what they do as just a simple love and care for those in their community, rather than the monetary benefit that career firefighters receive
Question? is there anyway you can help and volunteer at fire dept behind the scenes like helping them with charting or cleaning the rigs helping in any other way i have no eyesight in my right eye and cannot get a drivers lincence at least for a while but i love the atmosphere of the firehouse and EMS and have an immence respect and want to help any suggestions firefighter now?
I've always felt if you're a pro and live in small town with a volley service, you have some obligation to volunteer. If my neighbor is giving up his day off, I damn sure should too. I don't have the ability to volunteer anymore due to my job, but I miss it so much. Going on a medical or fire at 3 am is more enjoyable with your neighbors than at your real job. I don't know why, but it is.
Hi im currently living in a group home with ADHD and Autism and im 21 years old and wouldn't mind getting my hands dirty doing oil changes on fire engines maybe cooking some waffles for breakfast or washing the first response vehicles as an adult i want to support my city by fighting out flames and save lives theres more than just making breakfast and doing firetruck maintenance like washing the fire engines bonding with other male or female firefighters is my dignity and respect because i love a little drama action sometimes and fire to me is harmless to us firefighters because were specially trained but not harmless to our citizens 😊❤😅
I am 33 years old and new to the fire service. I am currently in the hiring process for both career and volunteer departments. I am also new to EMS, currently taking my EMT-B course. The career department requires firefighters to get their paramedic cert after two years on the line. I am struggling with which to choose (career or volunteer) if offered both? Especially since I am new to both fields. I am curious if anyone else has ran into this and what you did?
In my town, theres only 3 fire houses. And there all volunteer. One huge one and 2 small ones
I’m a previously paid career and trained ff. I share that with the unpaid and unfunded local dept. Today I pay out of my own pocket to fight fires instead of getting money. The community pays for the engines, insurance and work comp. that’s about it.
In a technological society we've lost the sense of danger from fire long time ago. Volunteering in the fire service helps to get back that understanding. Though, my gramps dedicated 40 years to Fire Service, and he used to say, "What burns down, will not rot".
Train! Train! Train! Attend any training you can. It will save the lives of you and your crew.
Just started volunteering
Can you explain how joining went for people like myself who want to join? Did you need references and if so how many? Was there an interview and how was it like? How was your first meeting? Was anything nerve wracking I'm kind of an introverted person who wants to join but it looks intimidating to walk into a fire dept almost like a police station lol
I joined my volunteer fire department because I couldn’t serve in the military, so I decided to serve in another way. I love helping people and also the adrenaline rush 😂
Can you explain how joining went for people like myself who want to join? Did you need references and if so how many? Was there an interview and how was it like? How was your first meeting? Was anything nerve wracking
Thanks
@@hatersgotohell627 it’s a very easy process. You get started by filling out an easy application then giving it to them. Then you will be voted on as a read on (if I remember correctly) and then they’ll have an easy interview with you as to why you wanna join, where you see yourself in a year, 5 years, and 10 years. You have to also get fingerprinted, get a background check done, as well as get a driving record from the DMV. Then you get voted on as a probationary member, then after 6 months a full member. Don’t sweat it, it’s a very smooth process. It may vary department to department though. Good luck!
I am currently a pre-med student, and I was doing some research for volunteering and "extracurricular" activities I would genuinely be passionate about. Wondering if anyone else out there considered going down this avenue pre-med wise?
What if I don’t have my FF1. I currently hold my state EMT license , NTN( National testing network) , CPAT
I’m 17 years old and I’m a junior firefighter in eastern ohio on the local volunteer department. I go to the weekly meetings. Is this a good way to get into this career. I want to become a career firefighter.
What happens at volunteer firefighters first meeting?
I’m proud to be a volunteer firefighter
Me too brother.
You should be proud of yourself, remember one thing, paychecks don't put out fires firefighters do. Stand tall and proud, train hard and be the best you can possibly be!!
@@btairborne71 Well said
That pager and those LED's on your pickup are the #1 pantie dropper of choice for country bumpkins across the country...
In the Philippines Volunteer fire department by their own firetrucks and make their own departments.
I have a big question I have been a valley for 4 years I had went through the fire academy I wanna go to a career station to valenteer for them the have valenteer paid valenteer and career in on station I don't wanna go paid valenteer if I have Ben through the fire academy through my state do I have to go and redo the fire academy I can say this more betwe in Pearson not through text any ideas
Here in Peru all firefighters are volunteer, and they often have to use their own money to buy firefighting stuff
That's tough but I guess it shows that everyone is in it for the right reasons.
Hello! I’m 17 and I’ve fallen completely in love with wanting to be come a firefighter. But I’m having trouble finding classes to get certifications so that I can apply to be come one I graduate in may of 2022 and I wanna jump right in to volunteering. But I don’t know where to start! I have my valid driving license and I’m trying to find a program. Any help?
Approx 87% volunteer in New Zealand
What should I do if my city doesn’t take volunteer firefighters?
Was a volunteer for 12 years. It was a great experience and fun for a while…especially since I was in my 20s and early 30s. Now I’m to old and out of shape for that stuff anymore.
Can you explain how joining went for people like myself who want to join? Did you need references and if so how many? Was there an interview and how was it like? How was your first meeting? Was anything nerve wracking I'm kind of an introverted person who wants to join but it looks intimidating to walk into a fire dept almost like a police station lol
Can a volunteer firefighter have the radio on at a regular job
Hello I'm thinking about being a volunteer in the state of Alabama
Where you can find what cities have fire volunteers?
I tried to get on my local vol I made it to the interview but they never called to come in come to find they didn’t won’t to take the time to teach me
So I'm a disabled guy here in the UK, I know for obvious reasons I could never be an actual firefighter, but is there a role for me in the some where?
I was looking to volunteer but I am still in high-school. I'm over 18 but don't know if I should volunteer
At 20 years old, I am electrician. And two months ago applied to join my local volunteer fire department.
Still waiting on government background checks to come back, I have no record, but what I’m really worried about is two speeding tickets.
What normally happens with that?
You will be fine. Good luck!
As a Fire Chief I can tell you, two speeding tickets should not be of major concern. Just make an effort to slow down, and keep your driving under control. Speeding causes problems. Learn to control your driving skills. This will be to your advantage. Good luck!
Truth….
i’m moving in the usa for an internship in a few months. can i become a volunteer ?
I just voted into my local volunteer firefighter. training and fire-school is free. but i also don't get paid.
anyone know if there's tax benefits and first responder discounts for us in Pennsylvania or is that a pipedream.
When you mean you get voted on by all current serving firemen, do you mean that you are at the meeting when they're saying yes or no for voting or is this done behind your back? The reason I ask is because I'm kinda introverted and nevous that I have to sit down with a bunch of firemen at first and explain how I'm interested but yet know absolutely nothing.
I'm a german volunteer firefighter and have many experiances as a career industrial firefighter. The overwhelming part of the firefighters here in the federal republic are volunteers. So we have these departments and also full paid career departments in major cities. But there're volunteers, too. And we have the industrial fire departments in chemical plants or other big industrial players. They can be career, less paid to volunteer and a mix of both. Now I am almost 42 years old and over the years I've served as a volunteer in three german states. In germany it doesn't help you to make it as a career firefighter, if you're already a volunteer. Maybe for yourself. But no one in the career department will consider it as a special experiance and will appreciat that. And like that, your community will think the same way. They will not appreciat your service. And it seems, that the most people in germany do not even know, that volunteer departments exist. They may think, all of the guys in bunker gears and ladders and engines they could see, doesn't matter where, are all part of the career staff. Others think, I guess, that the career firefighters are the real firefighters and the others just ridicilous guys. But these guys are doing there job as firefighters. No matter paid or not.There is no pride for the volunteers. Although we have this situation, there are so many people here who served and still serve as volunteer firefighters. not to forget the other rescue organisations. By the way, I am very interested in U.S. and canadian volunteer and industrial fire departments.