WHAT IS A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER?

This week, we shared a series of fire prevention tips as part of Fire Prevention recognition week. As the week concludes, we would like to highlight a crucial part of our fire prevention team: The Volunteer Firefighters who serve in our department.

A volunteer firefighter is a community member who chooses to serve, often while balancing a full-time job, family, and other obligations. When an emergency call comes in, volunteers leave their routines behind to help protect neighbors, the community, and those facing difficult moments.

Being a firefighter involves much more than responding to fires. It requires extensive training, dedication, teamwork, courage, and the drive to continually improve and learn new skills.

When entering a burning structure, firefighters depend on specialized protective equipment built to shield them from intense heat, flames, smoke, and other dangers. This personal protective equipment includes:

• Helmet – Offers head protection from falling debris, heat, and impact.


• Fire Hood – Shields areas of the head and neck not covered by helmet or face piece.


• Fire Jacket – Provides thermal protection against heat and flames.


• Fire Gloves – Provides thermal protection against heat and flames to hands.


• Fire Pants – Protect legs from heat and physical hazards.


• Fire Webbing – Gives firefighters a security option for escaping dangerous environments.


• Fire Boots – Guard against heat, sharp objects, water, and hazardous materials.


• Fire Radio – Enables clear communication between firefighters at the scene.


• SCBA Air Pack – Supplies breathable air in smoke or toxic conditions.


• SCBA Face Piece – Protects the face, eyes, and lungs while delivering clean air.

Training for firefighters is ongoing. Members receive instruction to develop the knowledge and abilities needed to respond safely and effectively. In New York State, volunteer firefighters train through the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, which offers courses like Firefighter 1 and other specialized classes all free to you. Training takes place at local and county facilities such as the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services and the New York State Academy of Fire Science.

Firefighter 1 training equips volunteers with the foundation to understand fire behavior, protective equipment, breathing apparatus, fireground operations, search and rescue, hose deployment, ladders, ventilation, and other core firefighting skills.

Training does not stop when formal classes end. At the firehouse, firefighters participate in weekly Monday night drills to practice and maintain skills, including:

• Wearing and operating in full protective gear


• SCBA operations


• Hose line deployment


• Search and rescue


• Ladder operations


• Pump operations


• Fire attack


• Ventilation


• Forcible entry


• Technical rescue


• Vehicle and equipment operations


• Motor vehicle extrication


• Wildland fires


• Fireground communications


• Mayday and firefighter survival


• Building familiarization


• Incident command and teamwork


• and many more

One great strength of the volunteer fire service is the diverse experience every firefighter brings. Members may be carpenters, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, engineers, contractors, teachers, healthcare workers, business owners, truck drivers, law enforcement professionals, firefighting professional or serve in countless other roles. These skills add value to the department:

• An electrician is familiar with electrical systems located through the house and in public areas and dangers it presents to firefighters .


• A mechanic knows vehicles and machinery. This trade bring a expert knowledge for when responding to motor vehicle accidents and overall apparatus upkeep.


• A plumber comprehends plumbing and heating systems. This allows firefighters to isolate the heating or water system when a failure arises.


• A contractor understands buildings and their structure. Teaching firefighters about fire flow and pending hazards.


• A healthcare professional brings medical expertise for over all firefighter health.


• A technology professional offers communications and computer skills as the technology in the fire service is rapidly growing.


• A business professional help with fire house record keeping and finances and securing additional funding.

Volunteer firefighting is a commitment to serving others. It means training even when it's inconvenient, learning new skills, maintaining equipment, working as a team. In many times the volunteer fire service severs as a stepping stone you a member future career service.

The volunteer fire service is always looking for new members to help support their team. Montrose Fire accept active members starting at the age of 17. There is a position for all ages in the fire service. The Volunteer fire service have come along way and provide additional services such as tax break incentives, college tuitions reimbursements and more in the works through state lobby. If you wish to become part of a team Click our Join Our Team link and fill out an application today. If you request additional information before filling one out reach our to us with your questions at jointoday@montrosefire.com.