Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunities

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

Structural Firefighter

Monthly Commitment: Two 2-hour evening trainings, September – March 

Structural firefighters respond to residential and commercial fires / alarms. They can also respond to vehicle accidents and perform various rescue duties. Structural firefighters also attend and participate in a variety of community events including parades, National Night Out, and the end-of-year hose down at the elementary school. 

Basic training is provided through two fire trainings each month (September – March). Fire trainings are held on the first Sunday (4 pm – 6 pm) and first Wednesday (6 pm – 8 pm). An optional, basic skills training is offered on the second Wednesday (6 pm – 8 pm). Additional training is provided through the nationally certified Firefighter 1 Academy every winter of odd years. Firefighters are also encouraged to attend regional trainings and other advanced trainings. Generally, training expenses for volunteers are paid for by the fire department. Personal protective equipment is provided by the fire department.

Wildland Firefighter

Monthly Commitment: Two 2-hour Evening Trainings, April – June

Wildland firefighters respond to grass, forest, and field fires. They also respond to vehicle accident, especially in the summer months. Wildland firefighters also attend and participate in a variety of community events including parades and National Night Out. Wildland firefighters can also participate and respond to regional and state fire assignments once they are properly certified.

Basic training is provided through two fire trainings each month (April – June). Fire trainings are held on the first Sunday (4 pm – 6 pm) and first Wednesday (7 pm – 9 pm). An optional, basic skills training is offered on the second Wednesday (7 pm – 9 pm). Additional training is provided in conjunction with other agencies such as the USFS and WA DNR. Pack testing is available in order to become Red Card certified. Generally, training expenses for volunteers are paid for by the fire department. Personal protective equipment is provided by the fire department.    

Emergency Medical Responder

Monthly Commitment: One 2-hour Training, September – June

EMS volunteers respond to a medical aids, public assists, rescues, and vehicle accidents. They also provide stand-by medical service at events such as high school football games, the county fair, and rodeo. EMS volunteers also participate in community events including parades and National Night Out. 

Basic training and continuing education is provided through one EMS training a month. EMS training is provided on the fourth Sunday (4 pm – 6 pm) and the fourth Wednesday (6 pm – 8 pm, September – March; 7 pm – 9 pm, April – June). For EMS, the same training is offered twice, but attendance is only required at one of the trainings. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training is offered every other winter of even years. Advanced EMT training is offered every other spring of even years. EMS personal are encouraged to attend additional regional trainings. Generally, training expenses for volunteers are paid for by the fire department.

Community Connections

Monthly Commitment: 8 hours

Community Connections is the branch of Garfield County Fire District 1 that focuses on preventing emergencies. We provide a wide variety of non-emergency services to the community that includes education, safety devices, and improving access to health care. Some of the programs offered under Community Connections include our Smoke Detector program, our Child Safety Seat program, and our Community Medicine program. Community Connections is a relatively new part of the fire department and there are plans to expand the programs offered as it becomes more established and new needs become apparent.

Community Connection volunteers work and coordinate with the Community Service Technician to provide these various services. Volunteers can decide to work a specific schedule, work with a specific program, or work on an as-needed basis. Volunteers are expected to provide at least 8 hours of service each month. Training, if needed, is provide by the fire department.

Support Volunteers 

Monthly Commitment: 8 hours

Support volunteers provide a wide range of services to the fire department. They can help the administration with office work and/or help the career staff with building and vehicle maintenance. Support volunteers can also provide services that are geared to their specific talents and expertise such as a support volunteer with web design experience designing and maintaining the fire department’s website or an individual with great social media skills creating and planning the department’s social media campaigns.

Support  volunteers work and coordinate with the full-time staff. Volunteers can decide to work a specific schedule, work with a specific program, or work on an as-needed basis. Volunteers are expected to provide at least 8 hours of service each month. Training, if needed, is provide by the fire department.