Volunteer Today!

It doesn’t take an economist to tell you we are in a recession.  But a firefighter can tell you!  It’s been proven that there’s direct relation between a recession and the amount of money and time people give to others.   Considering that volunteers make up approximately 70% of our nation’s firefighters, fire protection has taken a hit.   So like the title suggests, we need volunteers.  We need you!     

If you think firefighting is all about fighting fires and rescuing cats from trees, you are sadly mistaken, we do a lot more.   Have a problem with you refrigerator?  Smell gas?  Alarm ringing and you don’t why?  These are some of calls we are sent to.  In addition, we also respond to car accidents, rubbish fires and any call where the public needs us.   It’s not uncommon for us to get called to someone house and help someone get into bed, it’s called a lift assist. 

Both career and volunteer firefighters receive numerous hours of training, both in the classroom and on the fire scene.  The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), a non-governmental oversight agency, suggests that all firefighter receive and minimum of 86 hours of training before they are allowed to fight fires.  This is usually completed with 1 year of joining a fire department.   Most firefighters don’t stop there; they receive multiple other certifications in Hazardous Materials, driving apparatus, forcible entry and auto extrication.  Some even reach the Emergency Medical Technician level and are able to provide medical treatment along with their firefighting duties.   

Hopefully by know you have the urge to volunteer and are probably wondering how you can get involved.   The best place to start would be to contact your local volunteer fire department.   Most departments have a website with volunteer information.  If your municipality doesn’t have a volunteer department, look around.  Most departments need manpower and won’t turn anyone down even if you don’t live in their district.  Most states also have volunteer firefighter associations that are good sources of information.  In New York State, The Firemen's' Association of The State of New York (FASNY), was very helpful in providing me information when I joined.  They hold annual events that encourage volunteering.  I’ll write another post when one comes around.   Please consider volunteering, neighbors helping neighbors.