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Volunteers |
 Becoming a
Volunteer Firefighter
The first step to becoming a volunteer on our department is completion
of an application packet. Next is a casual interview with the Chief.
Then you are given a pre-employment written test.
You must score at least 75% on this test
in order to proceed. After successfully completing the test, the Chief
recommends that you attend at least two training nights. (Wednesday at
7:00 P.M) An Officer's review board will then be scheduled. This is a
panel interview with the Chief (nonvoting) and the Department officers.
Once you've passed your officer's board, a physical agility test will be
scheduled here at the station. The next step is a pre-employment
physical provided by the department through Dr Dickson's office. |
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Once you've cleared those seven steps you
are officially on the Department and will be issued your gear and
uniforms. Shortly after joining the Department, you will work with the
Officers and Chief taking classes that cover CPR and First Aid,
scribing, apparatus, equipment, safety and personal protective equipment
(PPE), self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), search and rescue and
water supply. After receiving this training, you will be issued your
pager and radio. |
After you join
Within the first year on the Department,
you will be expected to attend the Whatcom County Fire Recruit Academy
and in the second year attend the EMT class given through Bellingham
Technical College. Classes for both are held Tuesday and Thursday
evenings and Saturdays. After receiving your Academy training and EMT
certification you are expected to give a year of service to the
Department. If you fail the Academy or EMT school you are not eligible
to serve on the department.
Because the City makes an investment in your training there are set
standards you are expected to give back to the Department.
When you are assigned a twelve hour
duty shift you must respond to all calls during that shift. Additionally
you are asked to respond to calls any time you are available outside
of your assigned duty shifts. Additionally
you must attend training every Wednesday night from 7 P.M. until 10 P.M.
You may request an excuse from training if you must work by contacting
your shift Officer; otherwise you are expected to be there. Makeup
training can be done Saturday morning with the Training Officer.
The
City pays $9.00 an hour for training time and $12.00 per call. If a call
lasts longer than an hour you will be paid for each additional hour or
1/2
hour. Fire calls often do run longer than an hour; most aid calls do
not. Our department averages about 85 calls per month.
There is a great deal of pride here in the Department. We feel this is
the best Department in the County. We welcome new volunteers and would
like you to give serious consideration to the commitment you would be
making if you decided to pursue becoming an Emergency Responder for the
City of Lynden.
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