MFRD

Millions of kids dream of becoming a firefighter when they grow up. However, not as many actually do. If you still have dreams of fighting fires and protecting your community, becoming a volunteer firefighter might be the right path for you.

Becoming a volunteer firefighter requires extensive training, hard work and dedication to the community. The City of Macclenny relies on volunteer firefighters to respond quickly to emergencies, to perform firefighting duties and to provide assistance and support to career firefighters. And although volunteer firefighters receive little monetary compensation for their efforts, the chance to aid and serve the community is an extremely rewarding experience.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter, the first thing you need to do is contact the Macclenny Fire and Rescue Department. Someone at the department can then guide you through the requirements and application process. Keep in mind that volunteer firefighters often respond to emergencies from their home or work, and therefore must have a good driving record. You must also be in good physical condition if you are thinking of volunteering. Volunteer firefighters must perform some of the same tasks as their career firefighter counterparts. Some of those tasks require heavy lifting, crawling through tight spaces and moving quickly in heavy protective clothing and gear.

Be aware that volunteer firefighting can be a dangerous job that requires facing life or death situations. You should be able to stay calm, cool and collected in the heat of the moment.

While specific duties may vary, many of a volunteer firefighter's duties are the same as those performed by a career firefighter. Even though volunteer firefighters do not live and work in a firehouse like career firefighters, they carry out the same kinds of emergency response duties and non-emergency tasks.

Emergency firefighting duties are both challenging and physical. In emergency situations, volunteer firefighters should expect to extinguish and prevent fires as well as administer first aid. Duties also include rescuing victims from cars or buildings, carrying fire hoses up stairs or ladders, and breaking down doors. Volunteer firefighters usually perform all of these tasks while wearing heavy protective clothing in dangerous, smoky and hot environments.

But volunteer firefighters do not spend all of their time under pressure in dangerous emergency situations. Non-emergency tasks include performing various routine tasks around the firehouse, such as maintaining the building facilities and emergency vehicles and giving firehouse tours. Volunteer firefighters must also set aside time for further training so they can practice and thoroughly understand firefighting procedures, operational techniques and first aid methods. There are many requirements you must meet in order to become a volunteer firefighter. MFRD requires its volunteers to hold a Firefighter 1 certification (160 hours) and a first responder certification (40 hours).

 The typical application process begins with a few standard qualifications. MFRD requires that you be at least 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver's license from the state in which you live as well as the legal right to work in the U.S. You should also have a high school diploma or equivalent schooling. MFRD also prefers that you live within the city limits, although some exceptions may be made.

After you meet these initial requirements, you will go through the interview process, undergo a background check and complete a physical test. Be prepared to lift up to 70 lbs, drag up to 180 lbs and crawl through tight spaces in full firefighting gear.

When you have passed the physical test, you will need to complete a required number of training hours. After your training is complete, you should have open availability for any firefighting needs as they arise. Your position as a volunteer firefighter requires that you be responsible and dedicated to serving your community.