The fire and EMS service is one of the most diverse and challenging vocations today. It is this diversity that attracts so many men and women to join our ranks.
Different people volunteer for different reasons. Action oriented people enjoy the excitement and adrenaline rush that emergency services has to offer. Some see the volunteer fire service as an alternative to ‘driving a desk by day’ – by allowing them to ‘drive a fire truck or ambulance at night!’
Many like the feeling they get when they help people in their time of need and some feel it’s their obligation to serve the community. Yet others just want to belong to the team. Whatever motivates you to volunteer – everyone gains the self-satisfaction of being at their best when others are dealing with what is often the worst that life has to offer.
Imagine having to prepare yourself to cope with situations that range from structure fires to childbirth to hazardous chemical spills to heart attacks to almost any imaginable emergency in between. This diversity is coupled with the fact that these skills may be needed at any time of the day or night, seven days a week, in any kind of weather, and very often under potentially stressful and emotional circumstances. Yet these same factors contribute to our profession being so personally rewarding.
We realize that firefighting & EMS is not for everyone, but we believe that volunteering can be. There is plenty of work to be done on or behind the scenes, too.
The personal rewards and satisfaction received from what we do is often beyond description. There is the sense of accomplishment when you control a building fire, joy and elation when a child is born, compassion for accident victims, and fulfillment from teaching fire safety.
The bottom line in our business is measured by the loss of life, pain and suffering, and the property damage we have prevented and reduced.
Volunteering in emergency services is one of the most important decisions you may make. We hope that you give this decision the time and serious consideration it deserves, and decide to join our ranks.
“I take a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction in volunteering. I do it for me. I love it. The camaraderie, the friendships. Some of my closest friends are ones I made through the department.”
“These people called for a reason. They need you, and it’s important to be compassionate.”
“The benefits outweigh the sacrifice. I can’t imagine my life without the friends I made. That’s worth its weight in gold.”
