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What does it mean to be a volunteer firefighter ?
For some it is a way to give back to their communities, others it’s a way
to move into a paid job and for others it starts off as a way to meet friends
and interact with a group of individuals who are motivated to come together to
help one another. Its responding at all hours of the night and day to any
number of emergencies. It’s the challenge of remembering how to cut a car
apart or gain access to a burning home. Its seeing your fellow humans at their
worst and looking to you to help them through an event that forever will be in
their memory. It is something you will never regret doing.
Prerequisites to joining the CRFPD
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18 years of age |
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Good physical
condition |
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Good mental
state |
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Complete
criminal records background check. |
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Current Driver’s
License |
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Resident of the
Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District |
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Firefighter Expectations
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Family
Support:
This is the most important aspect for you and the CRFPD. When you
join, so does your family. Missed family functions and events may
occur as a result of this commitment. Discuss this with your family.
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Employer Support:
This is the next item you need to consider. Many calls occur during
work hours. Although your job comes before the Fire Department, you
need to discuss your commitment with your employer and discuss your
availability during work hours for emergency calls.
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Time
Commitment:
Being a member of the CRFPD is not like belonging to other
organizations. Commitment is key and often there is considerable
time contributed on the members behalf.
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Completion of Fire Training: Formal courses are an important part of the training process. It is
expected that a firefighter will make all attempts at taking formal
training offered by the department. This training goes a long way in
making the team effective and safer on a fire ground.
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Callout Availability:
Obviously call availability is important. We ask that if you are
available to respond, please do so. The more members we have to
attend an incident the better.
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Practice Drills / meeting attendance: Drills and meetings are where you learn the most about
the department and its operations. It is extremely important the
drills and meetings are regularly attended. |
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Fire Department’s Role / Commitment
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Training:
The CRFPD provides the training required to do the job
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Equipment:
The CRFPD will provide the equipment necessary to do the job
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Protective clothing:
All protective clothing will be provided as necessary.
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Worker’s Compensation:
All CRFPD personnel are covered by WC insurance while at a fire
department training session, fire call or public education function.
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Accident insurance:
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance is provided to all
department members. |
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Communications:
Fire Department pagers are provided to all members. |
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Active participation in training:
Reasonable effort
to obtain / be available for Firefighter training courses. Maintain
at least 66% attendance of training drills.
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Active participation in drills
Reasonable
effort to be available and participate on a regular basis
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Active participation in meetings
Reasonable
effort towards attendance
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Responding to emergency page-outs
Safe,
reasonable effort, and availability on a regular basis
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Active participation in prevention activities
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Fire standbys, Patrols, community events |
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The Department Social Aspects
There are several social events planned by the department
each year. These include Christmas parties, barbeques, family
activities, "get to know you" nights, and the annual Firefighter’s
Banquet. These events, while providing enjoyment for all members and
their families, also help build the "team spirit" to help us to work
together.
Conclusion
All volunteer firefighters should be professional in
attitude as well as performance. Firefighting, by it’s inherit nature,
is a dangerous and serious business. Because of this, it is imperative
that every member of the fire department takes their position on the
department seriously and professionally. After all, we are in the
business of saving lives and property in our community. We don’t expect
you to know everything on day one. We encourage you to ask questions if
you don’t know or are unsure. We are here to support one another and
help each other in any way we can. |
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68787 George Cyrus Rd. Sisters, OR 97759-9788
