"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?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by KELLYVFD37 on October 4, 2012 at 1:36pm

i just want to say i started as a " career firefighter" and now im a "volunteer" . Ihave been a volunteer for the last 7 years, and to be honest i have gotten more training with the volunteer dept than i did as a full timer. Some of the guys on our dept are pros too. we all train together and we train with the pro dept's in the bigger towns. as far as im concerned we are all "firefighters". volunteer or career, we all put our life on the line in this job.

Permalink Reply by Dennis Hiscock on February 20, 2013 at 7:47am

i wouldnt trade the volunteer for paid for anything...can't put a price tag on someone's life...none of our guys here get paid for anything, its our gas, tires, ect used...sometimes its long hours, others there are days if not months between calls

Permalink Reply by steve hutchinson on December 11, 2013 at 3:27pm