Becoming a volunteer firefighter is an excellent way to pay forward into the community. It takes hard work, training and commitment. The first step is to contact your area fire department to see if they have a volunteer program. For instance, Shasta County Fire works with Cal Fire to train and certify volunteer firefighters.
I have found the opportunity to be difficult at times, as well as a source of many wonderful opportunities to serve and learn in the community.
On medical emergency calls, volunteer firefighters help assess patients until the ambulance arrives and assist the professional EMTs when needed. On the scene of traffic accidents, they can be called on to help with patient assessment, extraction from vehicles, cleanup, fire suppression and any other tasks that are immediately needed.
Working on wildland fire operations may require volunteers to help create a fire line with tools, put out hose lines, or continue to assess the area for hot spots that could turn into an active fire again. Hiking into the wilderness is one of the fun parts of being on this type of assignment but can also be physically demanding.
Wendy Dickens, MSW, is Executive Director of First 5 Shasta and a volunteer firefighter. She believes in the importance of starting fire prevention awareness early, and teaching young children the basics.
Posted in: Community
Comment Policy: All viewpoints are welcome, but comments should remain relevant. Personal attacks, profanity, and aggressive behavior are not allowed. No spam, advertising, or promoting of products/services. Please, only use your real name and limit the amount of links submitted in your comment.
You Might Also Like...
Are You Playing With Fire? Plan Ahead To Protect Your Family Should Disaster Strike
When it comes to home disasters, children are most likely to experience a fire. Preparedness and planning saves lives, but nearly three-quarters of Americans have never developed or practiced a […]
20 Tips to Save Money on Your Car & Gasoline
Owning a car is expensive. You must pay for insurance, gas, maintenance and then unexpected expenses like repairs or accidents. So, I’m always looking for ways to save money. The […]
Chico’s Loma Vista School Begins Another Chapter in a Brand-New Building
When the children and staff at the Loma Vista School in Chico, CA returned March 25 from spring break, they entered a very special, brand-new school. Loma Vista, which is […]
Weeding Out The Couch Potatoes – 50 Things To Do Instead Of Screen Time
Across the nation, crops of couch potatoes sprout up every winter. They are fueled by the colder days and early sunset, leaving them unable to do more than is absolutely […]
Meet Your School Superintendent: Interviews with Shasta and Tehama Counties’ Superintendents of Schools
Your county school superintendent plays an important and supportive role for each school district. As an elected position, a superintendent serves in a leadership role and is a facilitator for […]
