THIS GEAR IS WAITING FOR YOU. ARE YOU READY TO FILL IT?

Our volunteer firefighters respond to all types of fires in the same way as paid firefighters do. Some of our responsibilities include setting up ladders, connecting hoses to hydrants, attacking fires directly, and using methods to prevent fire spread. 

Our Volunteer firefighters respond to medical emergencies and provide life-saving care including CPR. We also assist EMS with medical emergencies and administer first aid for all kinds of injuries. All of our volunteers receive training as emergency medical responders and some continue on to become emergency medical technicians or paramedics.  

When an individual or group of people go missing or are in imminent danger, our volunteers may participate in search and rescue efforts. These may take place in bodies of water, remote spaces, wooded areas, or even urban settings. Volunteers usually work in teams to cover larger areas of ground in shorter amounts of time. 

 When not responding to an emergency, Our volunteer firefighters sometimes work at the department to repair equipment, uniforms, or vehicles. Given the high levels of wear and tear that come with this type of work, it’s not unusual for frequently used tools to require maintenance. 

Fundraising represents a vital component of our fire station, and our volunteer firefighters often take part in initiatives to bring money in. Activities they may participate in include fairs, Rib sales, boot drives, cook-offs, raffles, and other events. They may also work in an administrative capacity to apply for grants.

After responding to an emergency or incident, our volunteer firefighters must create an official report about the event to keep on file in case there are questions about what happened or if a lawsuit ensues.

  Putnam county emergency services offer $8.00 a call for fire-certified volunteers and $4.00 a call for support.

The city of Crescent City is currently offering an incentive program for volunteers.

 As discussed earlier, you can have tax incentives and other benefits. While these do not translate directly into money in your pocket, they do lower your tax burden and therefore allow you to keep more of your hard-earned money. 

Our volunteer firefighters and support personnel also respond to medical emergencies and provide life-saving care including CPR. We also assist EMS with medical emergencies and administer first aid for all kinds of injuries. 

All of our volunteers receive training as emergency medical responders, and some continue on to become emergency medical technicians or paramedics.  

 Becoming a volunteer firefighter is no easy task and it doesn’t happen overnight. Both volunteers and fire departments must put in hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars** (**expense not incurred by the individual volunteer) to produce a fully trained and prepared new recruit. A study from the International Fire Chiefs Association shows that the clothing and tools alone for each firefighter cost nearly $10,000**. (**expense not incurred by the individual volunteer)

The answer to this question depends on what types of training you want to do. In addition to monthly and/or quarterly training sessions for all volunteers, those just joining the force usually spend two to six months completing courses and training to learn appropriate responses to a myriad of situations commonly encountered by firefighters. Some training may be done online while other parts must be done in person. Learners must also pass written and physical tests to demonstrate their mastery of knowledge and techniques..

The answer to this question depends on what types of training you want to do. In addition to monthly and/or quarterly training sessions for all volunteers, those just joining the force usually spend two to six months completing courses and training to learn appropriate responses to a myriad of situations commonly encountered by firefighters. Some training may be done online while other parts must be done in person. Learners must also pass written and physical tests to demonstrate their mastery of knowledge and techniques..

  No, several options exist for volunteering. Not all of our members want to fight fires or respond to medical emergencies. Those members wanting to still participate can help with other activities at our department such as handing out bottled water or changing air packs on fires. Support members can even drive the fire trucks and pump water at fires. We can speak to you to help you decide what is right for you. 

   Yes, several options exist for completing online volunteer firefighting training. The U.S. Fire Administration, which operates under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), provides the National Fire Academy with distance learning. Offering self-paced or instructor-led courses free to any emergency services or firefighter personnel, students can earn an NFA certificate after meeting all requirements. Those who already work as volunteer firefighters can also take advantage of continuing education credits.  

 This baseline level of training ensures our firefighters possess Florida State firefighter certification and the foundational knowledge/competencies needed to be on the scene and fight all types of fires. (Volunteer firefighters are required to complete this training and receive state certification.) (Support staff are not required to complete this training but are encouraged to do so.) 

 Designed for firefighters living in areas with large amounts of forestry, this training looks at human factors in wildland fires, wildland fire behavior, coordinating interagency responses, investigating causes, and using air-based responses. (Volunteer firefighters are required to complete this training and receive a certification.) (Support staff are not required to complete this training but are encouraged to do so.) 

 EMR training builds on skills and competencies included in the EMT certification, teaching students about primary assessments, CPR, AED, trauma response, pharmacological intervention, and using epinephrine auto-injectors. (Volunteer firefighters are required to complete this training.) (Staff are not required to complete this training but are encouraged to do so.) 

This Couse provides personnel with the knowledge necessary to operate and mitigate the many risks associated with driving emergency vehicles. These training courses have a variety of requirements. (Volunteer firefighters are not required to complete this training and receive certification but are encouraged to do so.) (Staff are not required to complete this training but are encouraged to do so.) 

learn to operate a fire rescue boat on regular patrol and in emergency situations., Maintain the fast rescue boat for operations, Prepare fast rescue boat and crew for operations, Take charge of a fast rescue boat during and after launch,

Respond to FRB, equipment, and crew emergencies or malfunctions, Locate and retrieve casualties; and, Recover the fast rescue boat, use VHF procedures in emergency situations and exercises,

Safety precautions during launch and recovery of fast rescue boats, Launch and recovery procedures –davits, release hooks, and painters, how to handle a fast rescue boat in prevailing and adverse weather and sea conditions, FRB operations in Man Overboard situations,

Casualty recovery, including rescue devices, Care of casualties, immediate first aid, and transfer Life raft towing techniques.