There is no personal financial gain . However, the more you that you commit yourself to this community service, the more you will be rewarded. Through training, you can gain skills such as: fire prevention, firefighting skills, child and adult CPR, defibrillator use, first aid, advanced life-saving techniques, hazardous material recognition and response, safe emergency driving. The skills that you learn will not only benefit the Louisville community, but will give you the ability and confidence to assist your own family and friends in times of emergency. You will gain a deep feeling of self-satisfaction by providing a critical service to your local community. Most importantly, you will occasionally receive the deepest, most heartfelt “THANK YOU” possible from the victims and families of those whose lives and property you have saved while serving as a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical technician.
Being a Volunteer Firefighter or EMT calls for commitment and means: ♦ Answering calls for assistance 24 hours/day, 365 days/year(even if it’s –20 degrees or +110) ♦ Missing some personal or family events(fires, acidents, and illnesses don’t honor holidays) ♦ Seeing and hearing things that you wish you could forget(but know you never will) ♦ Risking your life for people you’ll never see again(and not asking for thanks) ♦ Wondering if all the training is worthwhile(until you save a life or a home) ♦ Praying that you’ll make the right life and death decisions under pressure (and finding that you did with the help of fellow volunteers)♦ Hoping that someone will step up and take your place when you step down(the lives and property of family, friends, and the community depend upon volunteer firefighters and EMTs)
You don’t have to be paid to be a professional: TRAINING (Opportunity for personal growth) Required by Federal, State, or Department Policy & Provided through LVF&RD: ♦ CPR — adult and pediatric♦ EMT* or firefighter** certification within one year of joining department♦ Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations♦ National Incident Management System♦ Attendance at monthly, in-house fire/rescue drills* EMT certification requires a minimum of 160 hours of classroom instruction, passing of the National Registry test, 30 hours of EMS continuing education every three years.
** Firefighter certification requires a minimum of 86 hours of instruction and passing both the written and practical skills test.
Additional training: A variety of state-sponsored firefighting and emergency medical classes are hosted by LVF&RD, local fire and rescue departments, local hospitals, and the Cass County Emergency Management Agency. The Department also provides monthly , in-house fire and rescue drills so that all members can hone their skills with hands-on training and stay proficient in firefighting skills and patient care techniques.
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Why become a Volunteer Firefighter or EMT?
Subpages (1):
How to Become a Member
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