Volunteer firefighters are essentially community members who provide support and assistance to the full-time firefighting staff in their county or city. As John Rose Oak Bluff says, even though these volunteers do not earn a regular salary like full-time fire fighters, they are likely to receive certain benefits and financial compensation. Volunteer firefighters might respond to calls with full-time staff, or they can help out with other tasks so that professional firefighters are free to timely respond to more calls.
John Rose Oak Bluff marks a few reasons to become a volunteer firefighter
In addition to full-time firefighters, volunteer firefighters are also immensely important to keeping communities safe. Firefighting is a highly noble venture, and many fire departments require volunteers to have enough people ready to timely respond to fire emergencies. There are many reasons why one should consider becoming a volunteer firefighter, here are a few of them:
- To help others and serve the community: The prime duty of a firefighter is to help people and keep them safe in emergency situations. This can include rescuing people from fires, providing support in search and rescue operations, providing first aid and so on. Fire departments often help their communities through educational outreach programs, as well as charity events. By becoming a volunteer fire fighter, one can get a rewarding opportunity to help others in need and become a positive influence on the community. Being a volunteer fighter can be a great way to serve the community. These volunteers are among the most visible and active members of their community, as the work done by the fire departments have a direct impact on the people.
- To prepare for a full-time position: If one does want to become a firefighter but are not too sure about the role, they can choose to temporarily working as a volunteer firefighter before making any decision. During their volunteering experience, one is likely to acquire and hone important firefighting skills, as well as increase their stamina and strength, which can help them to become a more competent firefighter down the line. Working as a volunteer firefighter would also provide people with the chance to meet other professionals in the field who can provide valuable insights into the job.
- To work after retirement: Volunteer firefighters work part time and hence have a good degree of flexibility in their schedule. This makes it a perfect job opportunity for retirees who are fit enough and desire to continue working and serve their communities. Being a volunteer fire fighter can additionally be a good way to maintain fitness, learn valuable skills and provide service to others, even after leaving the workforce.
As John Rose Oak Bluff mentions, volunteer firefighters often get the chance to provide much needed assistance and support to people during some of the most challenging parts of their lives. They may help preserve houses and property or even save lives in emergency situations. Hence, anyone wanting to help others or looking for a purpose in life should consider becoming a volunteer firefighter.