Volunteer Opportunities
There are two types of volunteer opportunities’ available with Grays Harbor Fire District #2:

1. Firefighter/EMS Volunteers
Firefighter / emergency medical service volunteers respond to fires, medical emergencies and special operation situations. They function in the same capacity as the career members of the department and many times respond to emergency calls directly from home.

Applications are accepted year round and should be returned to the Deputy Chief of the respective station that you would be a member of or to the Fire Chief at the Headquarter station. Beginning in September, the volunteer applicants undergo a physical agility/fitness assessment, a drug test, a Department interview, intensive background check and a complete medical examination. Qualified candidates are put on probationary status and must complete a list of various activities including but not limited to a recruit academy, EMT class, and their probationary handbook. During their probationary time a volunteer must be very active to help gain the experience that will make them successful.

Volunteers with prior experience enter the Department as Lateral Transfer Firefighters. In addition to meeting the requirements for the normal volunteer applicant, each lateral transfer firefighter will undergo a lateral skills evaluation. Based on this evaluation, the Chief will develop a customized training and orientation program. Once the customized program has been successfully completed and with the Chief's approval, the lateral transfer firefighter will move on to probationary status. At the end of the probationary period, the volunteer firefighter's name will be submitted to the Board of Commissioners to become a regular volunteer firefighter.

2. Special Service Volunteers

Critical Incident Stress Management - These volunteers help emergency responders and community members to cope with and manage the emotional impacts of emergency incidents and trauma. Other Specialists - Ranging from Station Supplier to Photographers to Grant Writers to Computer Specialists, we gladly accept all types of volunteer capabilities for both short and long-term projects.

Special services applications are accepted year-round. A follow-up interview with the Fire Chief will be completed within 30 days of the application submittal. If the Department determines that there is a need for the special services, the Fire Chief will submit a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. The Board may accept specialized membership and wave eligibility and probationary requirements for these types of volunteer positions.

General Information and Requirements

Apparatus Operation: Members with less than one year of service are usually not authorized to drive Department vehicles, but special circumstances may warrant it. Firefighters must have a valid Washington State driver’s license, have successfully completed the Department Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention class, and have had specific supervised driver training on each class of Department apparatus.

Training: Training drills are held through out the month. The first week of each month is devoted to the Firefighters Associations meeting. The second Monday night is Medical / OTEP training, the fourth Monday night is for fire related topics. In addition to the two Monday drills, each station conducts drills on the third week of the month designed to be specific to their needs. All members have specific required training and attendance goals based on years of experience with the Department and EMS certification level.

Volunteer Benefits: Volunteers within our Department serve their community in a way that is both meaningful and gratifying. On occasion, the giving of their time results in a life or property saved. Other more tangible benefits provided by the Department include:

• Enrollment in the Washington State Volunteer Firefighter Pension and Relief Program.
• Enrollment in a long term disability program, which covers all volunteers who are injured or become ill while serving the community.
• Volunteers are paid $40.00 for local ambulance transports, and between $80.00 to $120.00 for out of town transports to Olympia or Seattle.
• Volunteers are eligible to be part of the Volunteer Incentive Program that rewards them for the time they give through out the year and puts money into a special fund that is just for them.
• Practical experience for those desiring a career in the fire service.
• A "family" for social and recreational activities.
• Uniforms and Protective Clothing/Equipment: Protective clothing and uniforms are required by the Department. The Department provides each volunteer with protective clothing and equipment to safely respond to emergencies.

For the Family: For many years volunteer firefighters were called to duty by calling the volunteers, one by one on the phone, and giving them directions to the emergency scene. With the changing times and needs, volunteers now rely on pagers to direct them to an emergency. Every volunteer's family is well aware that the pager's "tone-out" can occur at any time of the day or night.

A volunteer's family and job responsibilities should always come first. However, the nature of our activities require volunteers to decide at a moment's notice, whether to respond to an emergency scene or not. There may be times when your plans will be changed to respond to a scene or transfer a patient for medical treatment. Family and employer understanding and support will be beneficial for any involvement with our Department. We strongly encourage you to talk with your family about the decision to become a volunteer firefighter.

Download PDF Application Here
 

RFA Effort

Upcoming Training

Wed Sep 15 @18:00 - 07:00PM
District Drill Driver Training/Poker Run /Quarterly SCBA

Local Weather

Montesano, WA, US

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pressure: 29.86 in rising
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Sunset: 7:41 pm
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