Volunteers

Volunteers who are interested in beginning a career in the fire service and are actively seeking a career in the fire service are encouraged to apply for the Volunteer FIT role. These Volunteers serve the community by responding to a wide variety of emergency situations, including fire suppression, emergency medical aid or rescue, hazardous material responses and other potential specialties. Unlike traditional volunteers, the Volunteer FIT is assigned to a specific Shift (A,B, or C Shift). These individuals are ultimately motivated to participate in this program for civic, charitable or humanitarian reasons.

Expectations: Firefighters in Training must complete several initial classes before beginning to respond to emergency calls and performing volunteer assignments. Failure to complete certain classes will be grounds for removal from the program. The FIT will be also be required to become an EMT within the first 12 months subject to course availability. To maintain their membership with the District, each FIT is expected to be consistently present for shift training. Training occurs from Monday through Saturday, with no scheduled training on Sundays. A FIT is eligible for membership with the Volunteer Firefighters’ and Reserve Officers’ pension. 

EJFR maintains a fixed number of FIT slots. The FIT program is a 2 year time commitment for both the member and the Department. Much is expected from the FIT member, and much is given by the Department.  Upon successful completion, the FIT graduate is generally employable at nearly any fire department in the state of Washington. 

The Volunteer EMT/EMR (Emergency Medical Technician/Emergency Medical Responder) provides emergency medical service delivery and support to our career firefighters. The EMS volunteer can operate in potentially dangerous and hostile environments with the minimum certification of an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR). These volunteer positions are compensated for their expenses via a quarterly point system to assist their community in both emergent and non-emergent times, which include times of natural disaster. Education and training shall be no direct cost to the EMS Volunteer. An EMS volunteer is eligible for membership with Volunteer Firefighters’ and Reserve Officers’ pension. 

Expectations: This volunteer is available at all times (within reason) via radio or cell phone notification to assist the department in the delivery of emergency medical services. This service may include driving and operating ambulances and/or medical support units. Education and training are commensurate to the level of support the volunteer will deliver at a fire or emergency medical scene. The EMS volunteer is required to maintain current training and education status through regularly scheduled trainings and education, with a percentage of emergency call responses, and/or EJFR-supported special events. The expected number of training hours needed to maintain their EMS certification varies by the level of EMS certification. These individuals are motivated to participate in this program for civic, charitable or humanitarian reasons.

The Support Volunteer, as required by Volunteer firefighter pension and relief supports the duties of the fire department during fire ground operations. Examples of typical duties may be Tender or Air Truck apparatus operator, or crew rehabilitation support. This volunteer is not a firefighter requiring the ongoing certification of respiratory protection and firefighter competency and will remain outside of the “hot zone” of any incident. This volunteer may or may not be a certified EMT or EMR.  However, this volunteer can support emergency medical services through fire-specific education and training. Education and training shall be no direct cost to the Support Volunteer. A support volunteer is eligible for membership with the Volunteer Firefighters’ and Reserve Officers’ pension. 

Expectations: This volunteer is available at all times (within reason) via radio or cell phone notification to assist the fire department in the delivery of fire suppression services. This service may include driving and operating fire tenders, portable air-supply units, support units, and communication units. Education and training are commensurate to the level of support the volunteer shall deliver at a fire or emergency scene. The support volunteer is required to maintain current training and education status through regularly scheduled training and education with a percentage of calls attended or events staffed. These volunteer positions are compensated for their expenses via a quarterly point system to assist their community in both emergent and non-emergent times, which include times of natural disaster. Education and training shall be no direct cost to the EMS Volunteer. These individuals are motivated to participate in this program for civic, charitable or humanitarian reasons.

This volunteer is not eligible for the Volunteer Firefighters’ and Reserve Officers’ pension. Their service to the department is on a voluntary level in which expense compensation through activity points is provided on a quarterly basis. The service provided by the administrative volunteer is designed on a one-on-one basis for best use of skill-sets and talents provided by the volunteer and fitted to the needs of the department. As a volunteer, the time commitment is specific to the time available from the volunteer and specific to the needs of the department. Job functions may include: data entry and statistical management, technical drawing, communication support, public education, and pickup and delivery services. Education and training shall have no direct cost to the Administrative Volunteer. 

Expectations: This volunteer is not expected to directly support the functions of the fire department in the delivery of emergent fire suppression or emergency medical services. Indirect support of the fire department through administrative assignments shall be the primary function of the Administrative Volunteer. Training and education shall be commensurate to the job tasks assigned or requested. These individuals are motivated to participate in this program for civic, charitable or humanitarian reasons.