EAST SIDE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Becoming a Volunteer
Why should I volunteer?
Volunteering is a great way to serve your community. By volunteering, you have the opportunity to be trained and/or certified in a number of specialty areas. All training, material, gear and equipment is paid for by ESFD. And, quite frankly, nothing makes you feel quite as good as saving a human life. Our volunteers regularly make a substantial, positive impact on their neighbors. In times of crisis, our people are generally on the scene long before the arrival of EMS or law enforcement.
Opportunities include:
| · NFPA national certification as Firefighter I and Firefighter II |
| · NFPA national certification as Apparatus Operator, Fire Officer, Fire Service Instructor, Fire Inspector |
| · DOT Certification as a First Responder and State certification as an AED-Provider (defibrillation) |
| · National certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) |
| · National certification in Hazardous Material Operations |
| · Specialized training and certification as a Hurst (Jaws of Life) auto extrication specialist |
| · Specialized training and certification as an Underwater Search & Recovery Diver |
| · Specialized training and certification as a confined space and high-angle technical rescue specialist |
| · Out-of-town training in specialized medical, firefighting and technical rescue |
| · College tuition reimbursement for Fire Science coursework |
What does East Side expect from its volunteers?
Volunteering does take time. While volunteers are encouraged to participate as much as possible, you'll be required to be on duty only about one week in four. This does not mean you must stay at the fire station - it does mean that if our pagers go off at two in the morning, you're expected to get out of bed and respond. When not on duty, volunteers are required to carry their pager when they are in or near the fire district so they may respond to all major emergency calls. To maintain our PIAL Class 2 rating, you will be required to participate in departmental training exercises as well as independent study. You will be given a reasonable amount of time to achieve certification as both a Firefighter I and as a First Responder - these are the minimum requirements to be promoted from recruit status to firefighter. Most recruits achieve these certifications within one year - some in as little as six months. Although scheduled classes are offered for both (and both during the Monday-Friday daytime hours as well as evening and weekends), most recruits prefer to self-study for the NFPA Firefighter I practical and written exams.
What should I expect from East Side?
East Side provides several opportunities each month for its volunteers to easily maintain the required amount of training. We have our own on-site training facility which allows us to conduct live burn exercises as well as other fireground exercises (such as ladder operations, search & rescue and water supply just to name a few). We also provide our volunteers with ongoing emergency medical training.
East Side will provide all materials, equipment, supplies and training necessary for you to become and remain a qualified, certified emergency responder. East Side offers its volunteers many opportunities for training and advanced certifications, all at no cost to the volunteer. But our volunteers will never receive any pay for their services.
How do I volunteer?
Volunteering is easy. Come by Station 90 at 15094 Old Hammond Hwy and complete an application. Once your application is reviewed by our Administrative Review Committee, you will be contacted to come to the station and meet the officers and will be introduced to the workings of the department.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old with no prior convictions for drugs, acts of violence, theft or felonies of any kind and must possess a high school diploma or GED (exceptions are made for full time high school students aged 18 and over with their parent's permission). Applicants must not have any record of reckless or careless operation of a vehicle, DWI or hit and run. Volunteers must live in or very near the fire district and all applicants are required to submit to a drug screening as part of the application process. Post-injury, for-cause and periodic random drug screens are also conducted. All recruits are required to submit to a physical prior to being issued fire fighting gear and being promoted to a firefighter. There is no expense to the volunteer for either of these requirements.
For more information, please call Station 90 at 225-272-7779 and ask for either Asst. Chief Gateley or Chief Hancock.