Students Welcome!

Looking for a unique community service experience, or interested in pursuing a career as a firefighter, EMT or nurse? Look no further than your nearest volunteer fire department or rescue squad. Starting as young as 16 years of age (at some organizations) you may qualify to be a member.

High School Students

If you’re in high school and emergency services interest you, you might consider joining a department’s junior program. Junior programs are organized in such a way so that there are well structured, supervised activities for students to participate in so they can learn the basics of fire fighting or rescue. Don’t mistake this as being less than a regular member. You’ll get to respond to calls and play an important part helping at emergency scenes.

Most of the veteran members at departments started when they were in high school. Of course, certifications and laws prohibit anyone under 18 participating in some activities.

Junior programs require a legal guardian’s consent, acceptable grades and a good attitude. If you think this interests you, contact us via e-mail (top of the page) or call 323-FIRE (3473).

College Students

Most volunteer opportunities don’t afford people the time to do their studies while they’re volunteering. This isn’t the case at a volunteer fire department or rescue squad. Provided there isn’t a call, you can do your studies while you do your stand-by time. So in essence you’re accomplishing two things at one time. Plus, your volunteer experience is a great addition to a resume.

If your studying to be an EMT or paramedic there really is not a better fit. Many of the department members have these certifications/degrees and work in paid services as well. This is a great way to network and begin scouting future employment opportunities. Some organizations will pay for you to obtain basic medical classes and rescue certifications, and/or reimburse you for school.

Doug Wallace

Hailing from Leesburg, Virginia, Doug Wallace has been living in Blountville for 4 years. He is a volunteer at Sullivan County Volunteer Fire Department as a fire fighter, and also helps out Bristol Lifesaving Crew, which he has been doing for 2 years in Tennessee, and 7 years back in Virginia with the Arcola Volunteer Fire Department. In his everyday job, Doug owns and operates Tri-Cities Lock & Safe, along with Bristol Lock & Safe. Doug is currently separated and has twin boys and a daughter, and attended Loudon County High School in Virginia. In his free time he collects and races Ford Mustangs, along with enjoying Hunting and Fishing. Doug says that volunteering at Sullivan County VFD is a lot of fun, though a lot of work as well, but is great because he’s working with his second family. The volunteers in Sullivan County are nice people just trying to give back to the community and helping out, and if you are thinking about joining, helping out and giving back is probably in your nature- so there is no reason not to.

Questions and Answers

Have questions about joining a volunteer fire department or rescue squad? We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions that may help you determine if this type of volunteerism is right for you.

Volunteering for your local rescue squad or fire department takes a serious commitment on the part of the volunteer. However the rewards in personal satisfaction and pride that comes with working as a team to help your fellow neighbors, cannot be measured. We hope that you consider service in this capacity and that these answers will shed some light on any concerns or questions as you decide to join the ranks of those who selflessly give their time and talents to their community. Your help is needed and deeply appreciated!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone be a volunteer?

Typically, if someone is willing to volunteer their time, there is a job for them.

Do volunteers get paid?
Not in a traditional sense, but in a residual way, absolutely. No one ever forgets the first call they run or the first time they helped someone in need. Volunteering in an emergency service is a rewarding experience like no other. Immediately you become part of a family of millions nationwide who are driven to help others in their time of need. Plus, if you think this may be a career choice for you there is no better way to find out.

Is there a difference between a professional and a volunteer?
Professionalism is a manner in which a person acts. Volunteers represent their agency in a professional manner every day. Some may differentiate between the two as paid versus volunteer, but that is not true. The value of service and the inherent risks are no more or less if you’re paid or not.

How do I know which volunteer agency serves me?
Each volunteer emergency service has a territory which it serves, even inside City limits. Typically it is a good idea to volunteer in the one closest to you. To find out which agency serves you please call or e-mail us.

What happens if I get hurt?
Volunteer emergency services carry insurance to cover members in the event of an injury.

How much time does it take?
With each agency this varies, depending on the type of membership you choose and/or availability. Typically more time is involved in the beginning as new members learn procedures, but there will be a minimum requirement to maintain membership.

How will I get the training I need?
All of the emergency services do regular in-house training and will provide you the training you’ll need.

Do I have to buy my own uniform/equipment?
Not all of the agencies require you to wear a uniform, but for those that do, uniforms are usually provided. Other equipment such as protective gear (coat, pants, helmet), pager, etc. will be provided for you.

How will I know there is an emergency?
Volunteers are issued pagers that are set off by the County’s 911 Center when there is an emergency.

Is it like I see on television?
Not really. Typically in television shows you see a very small part of what is happening on an emergency scene, and sometimes the emergency is not as complicated as the storyline itself.

In reality, emergency are much more complex than they appear on shows. The agencies who respond spend lots of time training their men and readying their equipment for when they’re needed. This is the unglamorous side of the job.

Is a volunteer’s car an emergency vehicle?
While it isn’t unusual for a volunteer to respond in their personal vehicle, it is not considered an emergency vehicle and all rules of the road still apply.

How would this effect my work?
Your family and your work should come before your volunteer responsibilities. Volunteer agencies are realistic about this and will make every effort to work with you. You may want to talk to your employer about volunteering so you’re familiar with their policy.  Some businesses make special considerations.

Would volunteering help me get hired by a paid department?
Of course. There is certainly no better place to learn the ropes about EMS or fire fighting than in a volunteer emergency service. As with any job, the person who can hit the ground running is a more attractive candidate than the person who can’t.

How dangerous is it?
Due to the nature of the job there is an inherent risk, yet with proper training the risks can be minimized. Statistically, the biggest threat to emergency service workers is heart disease, followed by motor vehicle accidents.

Can I Be a Member of a Rescue Squad and a Volunteer Fire Department?
People belong to both, but some agencies have rules against this. You would need to check with your local emergency service to find out their policy. If you are new to this field, it is recommended you join and complete training in one agency then you can determine if you have time for both.

Have More Questions?
If you have any questions about Volunteer Emergency Services not addressed here, feel free to contact us. We’re excited about your interest and would be happy to help you in any way possible. You may contact us at 323-FIRE or e-mail us using the mail button on this site. If you feel that this volunteer opportunity is right for you, click on the Join Us button and fill out the online preliminary application.

What’s Required

Before you join you need to make sure you meet our department’s applicant requirements (at the end of this story), then we recommend you visit with us. This way you can see what the fire department is like, meet some of our members, and ask any questions you may have. We can even arrange for you to pull duty with members (if scheduling allows). Next you’ll need to fill out an application. We prefer that you do this at least two weeks before a board meeting to allow references to be called, etc. Once your application is cleared, you will then be asked to attend the next board meeting for voting. Member applications are voted on at the beginning of the meeting.

Pulling Duty

When you’re accepted, you’ll be assigned to a Captain who will be your primary department contact. He or she will work with you scheduling your duty and help oversee your training. All members are accepted on a 6 month probationary period during which time they learn basic concepts and skills they will need. Most members pull their (12 hour) duty in the evenings, spending the night at the department. However special arrangements can be made to break this into shorter shifts/duties. Members who are pulling duty check the equipment to make sure they are ready to respond to the next emergency. New members will be walked through this several times. Once that is done, as well as some light cleaning, the rest of your duty night is spent at your leisure waiting on a call.

Applicant Requirements

• Must live in the department’s service area (or the service area of an adjacent department)
• Must be 18 years of age (unless applying for the Cadet Program)
• Must possess a valid form of ID
• Must meet with a Screening Committee composed of department members
• Must appear before the department’s Board of Directors (when application is voted on)

Membership Requirements

• New members are accepted on a 6 month probationary period
• New members will be mentored by a Senior Member
• Members must pull one 12-hour stand-by (duty/shift) at the station each month
• Members must respond to calls whenever possible
• Members must attend regular training

The department reserves the right to subject all members to a drug screening.
All members motor vehicle records are reviewed annually.
New members will be assigned equipment at the end of their probationary period.

Join Us

The Sullivan County volunteer fire departments and rescue squads are making a push to recruit new members. We’re looking for new people to help respond to the community’s emergency needs, and we’re asking YOU to “Join Us”. This is an initiative of the Sullivan County Fireman’s Association, an agency made up of 10 volunteer fire departments and 4 rescue squads in and around Sullivan County. We appreciate you taking the time to see if becoming part of the volunteer emergency services is right for you.

Volunteers in emergency services are no different then anybody else, coming from all walks of life. While some people might be apprehensive about volunteering because of the notion that it is dangerous, with training the risk is minimal, and there are opportunities that involve not running calls. There are members who keep the books, work on the trucks or clean the station, for example. Their contribution is as valuable as those who respond to an emergency.

Inside everyone is something called the “volunteer spirit”. It is that sense of needing to help others, regardless of compensation. This spirit is strong in the volunteer emergency services, and just a fair warning ­– it is contagious. Once you have had the experience of helping someone in their time of need, you will never have a greater sense of accomplishment, and you will be hooked. Give us a chance and see what your county’s volunteer emergency services are about. We think you’ll be impressed, and we hope you’ll want to “Join Us”.