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The Ridgewood Fire Department is looking for volunteer firefighters. Volunteer firefighters perform many of the same types of work that our full time, career firefighters do. Firefighters frequently are called upon to perform extremely hard skilled physical work under adverse conditions. Firefighters not only fight fires, but also respond to calls during storms and assist during the annual July 4th fireworks display. Volunteering as a firefighter is a rewarding and life-changing experience for men and women that requires a serious commitment. Questions and Answers about being a Volunteer Firefighter 1. What are the requirements to join the Ridgewood Fire Department as a Volunteer Firefighter?
2. How much time will I be expected to contribute? New volunteer members must complete Firefighter I training at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute. Firefighter I training consists of 41 classes and is 128 hours long. Additional firefighter training is available upon your completion of Firefighter I. To see the available courses please visit the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Web site at: http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/bclpsi/ Volunteer firefighters are expected to attend as many training classes as possible during the course of the year. Volunteers conduct training at Fire Headquarters on Monday nights from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Volunteer members must maintain a 60% attendance for drills and alarms for the year to keep their volunteer status. When you are available you are expected to be on voluntary call, for any emergency calls that occur in the Village of Ridgewood. 3. How many calls do the volunteer fiefighters respond to in a year? It depends on the year; storms and multiple alarms vary from year to year, however you can expect to respond to18-25 calls annually. 4. Am I expected to attend all emergency calls? No. It is understood that there will be times when a volunteer is unavailable to answer a call. The more volunteers in a department, the more people there are to ensure a guaranteed response of sufficient numbers. You will be expected to attend all emergency calls when you are available. 5. I am not around all the time, I work shift work, or at times I would just not be available to respond to calls or attend the training sessions. Does this pose a problem? No. Most of our current members also have similar times when they are not available for calls. The administration of the fire department watches this area very closely. If a member is not very active or does not attend many of the calls, they could be asked to step down from their position as a volunteer firefighter. This doesn't happen very often. We realize that your family and work comes first; all we ask is that you make an honest effort to attend as many Fire Department functions and calls as possible. 6. I realize this is a volunteer position, but is there any compensation for attending drills or emergency calls? All volunteer members are included in an Accident and Sickness Insurance program and you will receive an annual payment of up to six hundred dollars for alarm and drill attendance. 7. What types of calls do you respond to? Volunteer firefighters respond to structure fires, storm related emergencies and alarms where the on duty career firefighters need additional manpower. Volunteer members may also assist with the July 4th fireworks. 8. What are the duties of a volunteer firefighter in the Ridgewood Fire Department? As a volunteer firefighter, from time to time you will:
You will also be trained on items such as communications, health and safety and self-contained breathing apparatus and other related duties such as public education activities. Looking for a Career with the Ridgewood Fire Department
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