So, Im thinking about going to the Volunteer FD....

[angiko97]

Since I can't find a job on an ambulance, I'm thinking about going to my fire dept and volunteering on the MAST team...any opinions?? I really want to get some experience and I'm sure not getting any here sitting on my butt at home! lol. Anyone else volunteer with a fire dept? 

[swellmel2003]

well, I never volunteered because I wasn't going the fire route and I was fortunate enough to get hired....but I think it would be a great idea....it will help keep your skills up, you will get new skills working on the engine, plus you'll get some good training. All of that will make you more marketable with private companies. I'm not sure where you are at but out here in So Cal,  Cal Fire was the only one with volunteers and they had to go through a pretty intense volunteer academy. The only thing I would think about is the schedule. Do you have kids and how old? Does the fire dept work 24s or 48s? and how would that affect your kids sched?

Good luck! 

[angiko97]

I live in Tennessee and the dept I would be going to is a volunteer dept that has medical personnel onboard. I would go to the fires, but would NOT be going into them. I would be called to MVC's, help with extracation, answer medical calls, etc. I'd have to wear the gear, but without all the firefighting. The only training required for a MAST member is First Responder, but since I already have my EMT-IV I won't have to go through anymore training. I'd basically walk on, go through some training for other things that are fire related, but I'm good to go. I's be answering calls immediately. AND I only have to do 4 hours a week of "station duty"...anything else is completely optional. I'd be able to go hang out at the fire hall while the kids are in school and also on the weekends when my kids are with their dad...

[swellmel2003]

I say then totally do it......you will get into running calls right away, which is great. Plus if you  can do it without sacrificing a lot of kid time, even better! That is what always bummed me out the most was being away for 12 or 24 hours when my son was home and having to say ok see you when your in bed. Or I'd get off of a 24 and be to tired to play. so that sounds like a great opportunity. what skills does an EMT IV do? Out here we only have EMT Bs. Sometimes I feel like a glorified boy scout. 

Are you nationally certified? Maybe that will be another plus on your resume. And with fire there might be the opportunity to get hazmat certified, ICS certified, plus whatever certs  or training you can pick up.....man, so I'm getting excited about it!

[MedicMommyAnne]

I would go for it.  I started out at a volunteer fire company.  They had both fire and EMS there.  I ran both.  It is a good way to get experience, and when you are looking for a job experience is a big deal.  most places will pick the one with experience over the one without any day. I know where I work if you have no experience they just throw away your application.

[angiko97]

We are trained as an EMT basic, but can test out at the Intermediate level if we choose for the NREMT...I can work as an EMT basic but can start IV's and administer D50 and Epi. Tennessee only has EMT-IV and EMT-P...we're not set up the same as the NREMT. It's confusing. If I go out of the state I would be working as an EMT-B unless I go test out at the Intermediate level...I am nationally certified. Probably going to get my reciprocity in Georgia. I really need to test out at EMT-I soon!

Quoting swellmel2003:

I say then totally do it......you will get into running calls right away, which is great. Plus if you  can do it without sacrificing a lot of kid time, even better! That is what always bummed me out the most was being away for 12 or 24 hours when my son was home and having to say ok see you when your in bed. Or I'd get off of a 24 and be to tired to play. so that sounds like a great opportunity. what skills does an EMT IV do? Out here we only have EMT Bs. Sometimes I feel like a glorified boy scout. 

Are you nationally certified? Maybe that will be another plus on your resume. And with fire there might be the opportunity to get hazmat certified, ICS certified, plus whatever certs  or training you can pick up.....man, so I'm getting excited about it!

[beaugrl0824]

I say go for it, it's a great way to make new friends and they are generally kid friendly. I joined ours to get my EMT-B for career reasons and will continue to volunteer even after I start my new job with a private service. And volunteer FD's are always looking for new people. We live in a very small town and there is nothing better than seeing someone that you helped in the store and getting a big hug and a thank you fron them. You will probalbly have to take scene support ops but that class is a breeze!