|
Membership
Have you ever considered helping your community,
but just wasn't sure how to do so?
Consider applying to your local Volunteer Fire Department.
(All fire departments have different guidelines for becoming a member)
The following information is for East Wood Volunteer Fire Department
Meetings are held every Tuesday night, 7 - 10 p. m.,
at the Main Fire Station on Rt. 47
To apply and become a member of East Wood V. F. D., Inc., an individual must:
- Obtain, complete and submit an application.
- Upon submission of application, review of application and back ground check will be completed.
- Upon completion of review and back ground check, a date will be determined for an interview and applicant will be notified when meeting will be held.
- Following interview and upon acceptance to the department, the member will be on a probation status of 180 days or 6 months. During this time, the member's activity, attitude, learning and cooperation skills will be monitored.
- All members must participate in departmental activities a minimum of 12 hours per month. Time can be obtained by responding on calls, attending meetings and training. Extra time cannot be transferred to the next month. Exemption from the 12 hour minimum can be granted because of work schedule or assignments, school, death, vacation and any other situation beyond member's control.
- Upon completion of the probation period, the membership counsel (Chief and Fire Officers) will determine if the probationary member has fulfilled the duties and responsibilities of a firefighter. If it is determined the probationary member needs another few months, the decision will be made at this time. If no more time is needed, the active members of the department will vote by secret ballot, for or against the probationary member to become an active member.
- Every member must make every attempt to complete required departmental training within 6 months of application date. Basic training consists of; WVUFSE Fire Level 1, Incident Command System, Hazardous Materials - Awareness, Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC), Basic Auto Extrication, and a minimum of CPR medical training.
All training is provided to members of all departments and is paid for by the department. The members have no out of pocket cost for any training unless a member attends training without requesting and being granted approval by the department. If this occurs, the member is responsible for all costs for the training. Members can, at any time, attend training if they choose to pay for the classes.
If fighting fires, cutting up cars, assisting the sick or injured or responding to all types of calls are what you are looking for, stop by and get an application.
It's Volunteer, but the pay is in your heart.
Support Membership
Rules and Regulations
Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to create and maintain a mechanism in which individuals from the community who do not wish to or are unable to be active firefighters may continue to support East Wood VFD during emergency and non-emergency activities. This policy addresses present members, former members and individuals with no prior affiliation.
Strict adherence to this policy will allow individuals to participate on emergency scenes and protect them from injury or liability.
This policy is in accordance with WV State Fire Commission Guidelines, article 4.02 section E, support personnel.
- Support members will not function or be in an Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) Atmosphere; examples include fire or explosive environments. IDLH atmospheres will be determined by the Officer in Command (OIC).
- Support members will not utilize pressurized hoses or ancillary equipment.
- Support members will not utilize or wear Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
- Support members may operate department emergency vehicles if member meets EWVFD driver/operator training and competency requirements.
- Support members may ride in department vehicles if no other firefighters are present.
- Support members may function on an emergency scene performing duties within their scope of abilities and meet EWVFD training and competency requirements for that specific duty.
- Support members may retain voting privileges during business meetings if member meets "active" status for the previous month, the required 12 hours per month must be documented by department policy.
- Support members may have access to EWVFD buildings within reasonable limits and hours and with the approval of the Chief, Board of Directors and the body.
- Member must apply for membership through the department membership committee.
- Firefighters requesting transfer from active status to support member status may be acted upon by the body and general membership.
- Support members requesting transfer from Support to active firefighter status may be acted upon by the body and general membership; the body may address the need for a probationary period.
- Non-affiliated applicants with no previous EWVFD affiliation may be subjected to a background check.
- Applicant may be required to complete a probationary period at the request of the general body and membership.
- Support members will be placed into a company assignment and will report to the officer of that company during non-emergency activities.
- Support member will complete an orientation program as part of the interview process.
- Support members may obtain training through EWVFD affiliation but will be responsible for costs and fees of any training obtained from an outside organization.
- Support members must be a minimum of 18 years old.
- Support members will not possess or operate emergency vehicle equipment on personal vehicles.
- Support members may be issued department owned personal protective equipment for specific purposes if approved by the Chief, Board of Directors and the General membership.
- Support members may be issued EWVFD owned communications equipment that is retired or unused if approved by the Chief, Board of Directors and the General membership.
- Support members will not hold any elected office or appointed position.
- Support members will obey and follow all department By-Laws and Standard Operating Guidelines.
- Support members are required to attend a minimum of one regularly scheduled Tuesday evening meeting per quarter.
- Support members may not function as an Incident Commander (OIC) or assume a position of command or authority.
- Support members must document activities and participation hours in accordance with East Wood VFD policies.
- Support members may be removed from a perceived danger at the discretion of the OIC. (Example: Need for additional PPE, escalating hazardous environment.)
- Support members are suggested to have hand and eye protection, sturdy footwear, long pants and long sleeves at their own expense. Reflective vests will be available on EWVFD engines.
- All Support memberships will be evaluated semi-annually. Memberships and support status may be revoked at any time the action is necessary and by majority vote of the body.
- During emergency operations, support members will report and answer to the OIC of an emergency scene and will follow all orders given.
Junior Firefighter Program
An individual at least sixteen (16) years of age, but less than eighteen (18) years of age may, with written consent of parent or guardian, be a Junior Member. Said individual may not participate in any departmental activity considered to be a hazardous nature unless it is under the supervision of a fire line officer. Must have completed WVU Fire Fighter Level I or its equivalent. Specific reference, WV Code 21-6-2
If you have any interest in becoming a Junior Member, stop by the station on any Tuesday night from 7 - 9 pm or call the station at 422-4410. See Kenny Moore, Junior Liaison.
Anyone interested must live in the East Wood V. F. D. response area.
All members still in Junior or High School must maintain a "C" average to continue membership in the department. Any member dropping below this scholastic average will be suspended for the following six weeks grade period on the first offense. The second offense is an automatic dismissal from the rolls.
|
No Junior member will be allowed at the station past 2130 hrs. (9:30 pm) on school nights and 2300 hrs. (11:00 pm) on all other nights.
There will not be any non-junior members in the station with East Wood Junior members.
Juniors may assist on brush fires if they are 16 years of age or older, under the supervision of a regular member.
Juniors, on all other calls, will report to station, not the scene, for assignment.
Juniors are not to go on medical calls except at the request of a First Responder, EMT or Paramedic for possible assistance.
Juniors are not to go on Motor Vehicle Crashes (MVC). They may report to the station to help with clean-up on return of apparatus if they wish to do so.
|
|
