Jump to content

Rural Fire department volunteer or paid


Recommended Posts

  • Replies 113
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

The fire dept. is evolving. Volunteer since early last century, it changed a few years ago (almost 10, now!) to Paid, full-time 10-hour day coverage with a small crew, call dept. at night and weekends. Four duty crews rotate weekly for night and weekend coverage, 1 week on and 3 off. Hourly rate paid per call. Pay rate set by a base plus stipends, such as certifications and years service. The range is pretty much $10-$20. If you save up your time sheets, you can get a nice check before Christmas.

Within the next few months, they're adding two more full-time positions, changing the coverage to 12 hours, 7 days.

The call volume has increased steadily over the past 25 years, from 250 or so in 1980, to 900 in 2004. 75-80% EMS, with a private ambulance company transporting.

I spent the first 16 years doing it 100% free, and was dragged, kicking and screaming, into the world of monetary compensation. I thought of the EMS and Fire World as a great hobby, enjoyed giving back to the community, etc., etc.

Now, with the increased call volume,required trainings, in-services, protocol roll-outs, re-certs, Homeland Security, HAZMAT, RIT, KFC and WD-40, I guess getting an hourly wage is o.k.

Besides, my hobby became a career when I was hired by a private ambulance service almost 10 years ago.

Now I fish.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...