JOIN US AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY!

Did you know that more than 70% of emergency responders nation-wide are volunteers?  Phoenicia Fire District is a 100% volunteer fire department, supported entirely by the hard work of local heroes like you.  There are many ways to get involved with the fire department.  From becoming an active firefighter to an administrative or auxiliary role.  We also need all kinds of services that perhaps you can offer, like driving, childcare while our firefighters are responding to calls, fundraising or grant writing.  Everyone has something to offer and it takes a village.  Volunteer work is one of the most rewarding things that you can do for your community and yourself.  Have a look through this section and if becoming a volunteer seems like a good fit, we'd love to hear from you.

Click here to download the NVFC guide for families to becoming a volunteer firefighter.

Video by: Jonathan Weiss

Benefits

  • Make your community safer by making our fire department stronger.

  • Learn valuable skills that can help you on the job and in everyday life.

  • Serve your community. Being a firefighter means helping your neighbors, often in their hour of greatest need.

  • Keep our homes affordable. A volunteer fire department keeps insurance rates down, and saves the town from having to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars of tax money on career firefighters. Many people complain about high taxes and home ownership costs, volunteer firefighters actually do something about it.

  • Student Tuition reimbursement. As an incentive for individuals to serve in New York’s volunteer fire service, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) has developed the Higher Education Learning Plan (FASNY HELP). This program will provide tuition reimbursement to student-volunteers for up to sixty-five (65) credit hours attained at a New York State chartered community college or online courses taken through Empire State College.

  • State Tax Credit. Volunteer firefighters in New York State are eligible for a $200 annual state tax credit. Click here to download form IT-245

Membership Requirements

There are several ways to volunteer.

Active Firefighter

  • Be at least 18 years old (16 for junior firefighters, with parental consent).

  • Be able to pass a full background check.

  • Be able to pass a PFD physical (if active member).

  • Be willing to be an active member of the organization, including call response, completion of initial and ongoing training.

  • To become an interior firefighter you must complete 129 hours of state mandated training. This is not necessary for individuals who do not wish to go inside a burning building.

Inactive Social Member

  • You must be:

  • able to join with a Fire House and pay your yearly dues.

  • Able to participate in events and activities pertaining to the fire house. For example the annual egg hunt, fall fest, July 4th.

  • Able to open the fire house during emergencies.

  • Willing to help with food prep for the Fire fighters during elongated emergencies.

 

Training For Active Fire Fighters

We provide all necessary training and equipment.

Timeline: 12 months

Initial Courses

  • In-Station Orientation

  • CPR for Professionals (8 hrs)

  • First Aid (5 hrs)

  • Auto Extrication Training

  • Emergency Vehicle Operations

FEMA Online Classes

  • NIMS ICS 100 (online)

  • NIMS ICS 700 (online)

Core Operational Classes

  • BEFO (Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations) 50 hours

  • IFO (Interior Firefighting Operations) (Optional) 79 hours

  • Fire Police 21 hours