ABOUT VOLUNTEERING

Inside everyone is something called the “volunteer spirit”. It is that sense of needing to help others, regardless of compensation. This spirit is strong in the volunteer emergency services, and just a fair warning ­– it is contagious. Once you have had the experience of helping someone in their time of need, you will never have a greater sense of accomplishment, and you will be hooked. Give us a chance and see what your county’s volunteer emergency services are about. We think you’ll be impressed, and we hope you’ll want to “Join Us”.

You might think that volunteers in the emergency services are different from others. Actually, they are no different than anybody else, coming from all walks of life. Volunteers come from all kinds of professions, such as farmers, teachers, mechanics, business leaders, to name a few. Some even work at paid departments. In fact, it’s not unusual for career firefighters and ambulance workers to have gotten their start volunteering! At any volunteer department you will find a diverse group of men and women, all with a unique skill set.

While some people might be apprehensive about volunteering because of the notion that it is dangerous, with training the risk is minimal, and there are actually opportunities that don’t involve running calls. Television has glamorized the fire and rescue services so many think that the only hero seems to be the person who is doing the rescue, but that is far from the case. What television doesn’t show is the college student who checked all of the equipment earlier to make sure it was good-to-go, or the mechanic who volunteers his spare time making sure the trucks are in good working condition. These are the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes to keep things going. Their contributions are every bit as valuable as those who respond to an emergency. We are one big team.

GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT VOLUNTEERING?

Volunteering for your local rescue squad or fire department takes a serious commitment on the part of the volunteer. However the rewards in personal satisfaction and pride that comes with working as a team to help your fellow neighbors, cannot be measured. We hope that you consider service in this capacity. Your help is needed and deeply appreciated!

We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions that may help you determine if this type of volunteerism is right for you.

See Frequently Asked Questions >

This page is dedicated to answering your questions about volunteering. We hope we’ve covered everything, but if not, just contact us. We’d be happy to speak to you, and of course, there are no obligations. We simply appreciate you taking the time to see if becoming a volunteer is right for you.