Still waiting for a while. I called in Feb and they said they didn't have enough applicants to start a new class. They said it will be April/May before they call me but I'm still on the list at least! I'll keep the thread updated if/when I find out what happens.

 

can you take training online for this? i ask because im in the army in ny, but am volunteering when i get out next year and move back to texas.

thanks

 

not that I am aware of..... there is a certain part of the class that is hands on. Like, you have to be able to put all of your gear on and be breathing air off of your SCBA within a minute and a half (might be different for different states)

That and if you wait, normally the department will sponser you and pay for the class.

 

Good Luck I have been volunteering for 19 years and love it ...if you really like it you can work your way up like I did .........

 

Here's a few pics of our station:



we run:

(2) 2006 Ford F-550 "Squads" XL Superduty's, PowerStroke Turbo V8, E-ONE package, Kabota 250 gpm pump, 500 gal tanks, rescue equipment, etc.
1998 Ford F-450 Ambulance Package, BLS, PowerStroke, basic life support systems
1997 Freightliner Tanker, 4000(?) gallon tank with 2x 250-gal/min pumps and general crossfeeds/inlets for Attack Truck support and refilling from pools, etc.
1964 GMC 7000 Engine with 2,000 gal tank and 750 gal/min pump. Gas engine, cant even get out of its own way! Full throttle only yeilds 55 mph. Its pretty sad going down the highway lights and siren and traffic is passing ya in the right lane, lol.

 

Entertainment Center (for me!)



Dual Motorolas, Whelen siren mounted to 2x 100W external speakers w/ PA, and lightbar controls w/ fast idle option (for work lights). And let us not forget those wonderful cupholders!

 

And here's a few shots from a 70+ acre Signal 25B (brush fire, escaladed from a controlled burn) from a few days ago, running POV with our Squad visible in a few shots:





^^ Forestry cleaning up with the dozer.





It was pretty serious, but this is just the aftermath. In the summertime we run about 70% brush fires, and 20% accidents, with +/- 10% misc stuff.

 

Awesome pictures! Thanks for sharing - I'm still really excited and hope to be getting that phone call in a few more months so I can start my training.

 

Well, after starting this thread back in October of 2008 and dropping off my application, I received a phone call last night inquiring if I was still interested in joining the rural FD. They finally have 8-10 applications and are ready to start the interview and training process. They also told me I was the only one out of the 10 people who turned in 100% of what is required for the application, like a drivers and criminal record. I guess the others only turned in the written application itself.

After confirming that I was still interested he told me I would receive another phone call within 2-3 weeks with the dates to begin the process. I'm pretty excited. Sounds like there will be a meeting with a short interview and a small physical challenge to see what kind of shape everyone is in.
Guess we'll see what happens in another couple of weeks! I'll keep it updated.

 

well that is good, I was just wondering about this a few weeks back.

 

Congrats!

No matter what dept you're with the interview process is always long. I'm going to be turned over (working without a baby sitter ) in a few days and I started my application process around 5 months ago.

 

sounds good. pretty soon you'll be on your way knocking out all those certifications- i just finished my CPR and First Responder/Emergency Medical Responder course and I begin Fire1 tuesday. I just cant wait to get EVOC (Emer. Vehicle Operations Course) so I can drive the apparatuses to calls instead of riding biatch all the time. ive still got to do my drug testing and background check, but i should have those done about a month in advance of my 18th b-day so everything gets done by the time im legal age to go on calls

 

Congrats!! This might sound like a dumb question but I'm assuming you have to pay for those courses you described above??

 

Negative! Like my fire chief said: "It takes a special kind of person to wake up at 3 in the morning to help someone they've never met before for no financial gain, especially in these current economical times" your county should be providing these courses free of charge if you are donating your time and gas to do this kind of thing. for instance, full bunker gear (mask, flame suit, bottle, etc) costs around $5K. after i get Fire1 cert'd, I get that full $5K gear, BRAND NEW as long as im still running calls in my county.

 

also wanted to point out that our station is being used as a guinea pig- we are the first volly station in our county to run a BLS Ambulance (basic life support) in lieu of ACLS units to relieve pressure from the paid guys running to "minor" calls. we have the apparatus sitting at the station and we begin taking it on calls next month. kinda excited cause im guessing going on nothing but fire calls could get kinda boring. wouldn't mind driving an ambulance or helping out in the box once and a while.