How to Become a Volunteer Firefighter

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

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There are numerous reasons that people decide to become volunteer firefighters. It is a rewarding and exciting vocation that allows you to become a hero to the members of your community. There are only a few simple steps that you need to take in order to begin volunteering with your local fire department.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Step1

Contact your local fire department. Inquire about their need for volunteers and ask how you can go about joining the program.

Step2

Talk to other volunteer firefighters. Before you sign up, you should get an idea about what type of work you will be participating in. You may want to figure out how much time you are going to have to commit to the department as well as what type of perks you will gain for being a volunteer.

Step3

Gauge your physical fitness level. Before you submit an application, you will want to decide if you are physically able to perform many of the tasks that will be required of you.

Step4

Fill out an application and wait for the department’s response. The forms that you may need to fill out are a medical history, employment verification form and a beneficiary designation form.

Step5

Complete an intense training course that involves numerous hours inside and outside of a classroom. Firefighting is a difficult and dangerous profession, so departments are going to provide you with the most extensive type of training possible.

Tips & Warnings

Many departments are looking for volunteers that obtain a CDL. This way they can teach the volunteer to drive a fire truck.
Look for a fire department that offers paid firefighting positions as well. Many times you may begin as a volunteer and can advance into a paid position.
If you do not hear from the department right away, don’t be discouraged. Many fire departments will only accept new volunteers on a semi-annual basis.