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"VOLUNTEER"
The term volunteer bothers me. We are actually "paid on call". Mostly it bothers me cause ppl seem to think we are not "real" firefighters. Like somehow we dont attend "real" fires, MVC's, medical aids, etc. Like somehow our fires are not as hot or we dont have any training. In my opinion being a "volunteer" is actually more difficult! we have other jobs too! Emergency's can happen anytime. We are on call 24-7. Our "waiting for calls" never comes to an end. We are expected to save life, property, and environment with speed and efficiency. We never know how many members will show up (which means we often work twice as hard) or who those members will be. we must be jacks of all trades. one day im entry team, the next pump op, the next tanker shuttle, the next rescue team, the next medical team, and on and on... my hall training is very specific and tough. we are working through 1001's....i do my best to enlighten ppl... anyone else have this frustration?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Damo on
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Kara, How do I get into a FD where you are from? That is pretty awesome they pay you like that.
I had the same perception about my vollie station as the guys that joined with me were typical rednecks and lived up to the name. But, after going through training with these guys and also with people from the other stations, I am glad that these guys have my back. They work harder and are more professional than any of the "city boys" that are in the other stations. So, you really can't tell a book by its cover. -
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Permalink Reply by kara-lee allen on
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i think it has taken a lot to get the compensation we get... no pay for inventory though. :)and i do appreciate the thank you's. however, i am a single mom. so when i leave for a call it does "cost" me too. babysitters not free. but i love this job! dont mistake. even if it didnt pay i would still do it. when i first started i didnt know there was any pay it was just an "extra" for me. and i think you should get compensated... your risking your life, time with your family, etc... as far as training requirements, in our county there isnt any... or not much anyway, we train so we can be better, faster, more efficiant. there is no pay for training, however we dont have to pay for the training... so that is a bonus!
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Tom, I had the same apprehension telling my new boss that I was going through basic to become a FF. But, I guess I am lucky and my company wants to push for such safe work place that they were willing to put someone through a first responder course. So, when I told them I was going for my EMT-B in January all the bosses went crazy and think it is great they would have a certified EMT on staff. As long as the volunteering doesn't affect my work, I think my company is pretty cool with it.
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Permalink Reply by Tom Krauter on
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Kara, if you ever need a babysitter for free, call me, but you have to know that i need approx. 36 hours ton the states with getting your information, buy a ticket, start and fly over... ;-) So tell your residents, thay have to announce their incidents, ahh, i think 48 hous ago.....
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Hey Damian,
thats really great. So ask them, if they need a fucking german ff also, that comes over an brings a 747 full of beer with it...laugh
by the way, till now, i don't know where to send it, lol
Tom -
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Permalink Reply by Jerremy (Gump) Hughes on
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Its about p.r. public relations is a big part in fire service. Peoples view on fire fighters was laid out a long time ago. They think we play checkers and dominions all day at the fire hose. Volunteer fire dept in my arrea only 10 yrs ago stop sending one truck to the fire and the other to get beer. This reflex bad on the dept. And is still over there heads . The only difference there should be between the two is pay . They should both be trained to the best they can be. Volunteers should make time to be in eye as do paid . Views will start to change overtime.all in all I feel its more of a way to difference between the two as there are law that pertaing to one and not the other . So the tags are in place at state and federal level . I my self am a paid firefighter and volunteer as a trainer .
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I think we have to ask former concerned people, and try to have them as speakers for us, all volunteers and profs. Cause, in my mind, if you are the one in the house or the car or, or or...in this time it dosn't matter for you wich people come, in their trucks with lights and loud sounds and wearing safety gear...
I dont have to be here for f....., stupid pretender...
I be here for the person, that needs me, and is happy if WE ARE THERE... -
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Permalink Reply by Ryan James Johnsrud on
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Right on especially "career" vs. volunteer, not professional vs volunteer. Career and volunteer firefighters can both be professional firefighters and thats what most of us strive to be. And I guess you could say both groups have just as much potential to be unprofessional, but those ppl probably aren't on this network.
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I am with you in this Reply... (F.m.h., I think i need an english teacher)
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Permalink Reply by Ashley Rivers on
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Not everyone who is volunteer is paid on call. My dept we don't get paid for anything we do, it's 100% volunteer. But I agree with the rest.
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what i'd like to know is your county/town getting paid and keeping all the money?? we also donate 5 hours each back to the hall each pay period. twice a year. we fundraise for equipment and training and uniforms also.... i'm sorry but i dont work for free..... :) greedy cow i am... lol
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Permalink Reply by David Wilson on
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Tom I am glad your company is cool with it but the company I work for laid me off because I was putting in some time on wildfires two years ago. I have been a volunteer firefighter for the last 30 years and a EMT B for the last 3 years currently working on my EMT I course. I looked at my boss and flat told him dont ever let me hear your address on the phone for a fire in the middle of the night because I might decide I dont want to get up. Of course then he had a whole diffrent attitude about what volunteers do but he will still not hire anyone who is affiliated with Fire Rescue. Since then I have went to work for a Ambulance service which is also volunteer. So fare this year we have had about 150 fire runs and over 550 ambulance runs. We started this year with 33 volunteer ambulace volunteers and now have 9 left.
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