Requirements for Becoming a Volunteer Firefighter
Volunteer firefighters must have a strong commitment to serve their communities and to devote long hours in preparation for their training. They should also be in excellent physical shape. Volunteer firefighters do not get paid and must be willing to commit a minimum number of volunteer hours per month. The first step to becoming a volunteer firefighter is to identify a fire department that recruits volunteers, complete an application and pass a background and physical screening.
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Qualifications
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Although requirements vary according to local fire department standards, most applicants wishing to become volunteer firefighters must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Applicants must be residents of the state in which they wish to become volunteer firefighters and must be legal residents or permanent citizens of the United States. Applicants should indicate whether they wish to be considered for emergency or nonemergency support.
Physical Ability Test
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Firefighters must be in good physical shape; the same criteria apply to volunteer firefighters. Applicants must take a physical ability test, which is a timed evaluation of a candidate's ability to perform a series of tasks that are relevant to firefighters. They include activities such as carrying a ladder, dragging a hose several hundred feet, crawling through a simulated attic and rolling several hose bundles. The physical ability test is a strenuous test; upper body strength and aerobic conditioning are highly recommended.
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Training
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Candidates who are admitted into a volunteer firefighter program must take a minimum of 110 hours of coursework that has been approved by the National Fire Protection Association. The training includes classroom and hands-on instruction. Most fire departments require volunteer firefighters to take a minimum number of monthly courses and specialized training. The National Volunteer Fire Council offers training and educational resources for volunteer firefighters. Training opportunities for volunteer firefighters are also available at local colleges and universities.
Considerations
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Working as a volunteer firefighter is one of the best ways to gain some hands-on training and become an attractive candidate for a firefighting career. Individuals who do not meet the requirements for volunteer firefighters should consider other emergency response services such as Community Emergency Response Teams or C.E.R.T.s, which are available in most communities. C.E.R.T.s are designed to help civilians during emergencies like earthquakes, fires and other natural disasters. Volunteer firefighters must maintain standards by passing skills checklists annually. They must also be certified in CPR.
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References
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