Be Part of the Solution – Volunteer in the Fire Service! from National Volunteer Fire Council on Vimeo.
Your Community Needs You!
The Colington Volunteer Fire Department has a great need for firefighters as well as folks to help out in non-emergency roles. Did you know that your fire department relies on volunteers? Even though we now have a small force of career firefighters on duty, we are always looking for folks interested in becoming trained as firefighters. We are able to work with you to ensure you get the training you need. If you are at least 18 years old and willing to serve your fellow citizens as a firefighter, the Colington Volunteer Fire Department is looking for you. From folks new to the community, to life-long Colington area residents, if you’ve got the time to dedicate to your community we’d love to have you. Previous experience is not necessary. Training and equipment are provided free of charge, and all firefighters are covered by Workers Comp insurance. All firefighters must have a valid NC Drivers License, good driving record, High School Diploma or G.E.D. or be currently enrolled in school. Residency in the fire district is preferred. Criminal background checks may be conducted.
Volunteer firefighters are tasked with responding to calls for service, helping maintain equipment and attending training regularly. All costs are covered by the department, including insurance and even a state retirement program for 20 years of service. We provide everything you will need, including personal protective equipment and thorough training, to become a competent and safe firefighter.
Our firefighters also respond to non-fire incidents such as medical calls, traffic crashes, vehicle extrication, searches, boating incidents, environmental hazards and yes, even an occasional cat in the tree call. Firefighters trained in emergency medical care have even been responsible for saving lives in our community before our colleagues from EMS arrive.
Volunteers receive no pay, but you will enjoy the emotion of being a part of a great community organization. And knowing that you contributed to saving a life or protecting a person’s home is a priceless feeling. Make sure you’re ready to commit. Making the decision to become a volunteer firefighter should not be taken lightly. It requires many of hours of training and a strong commitment to service.
Honestly, fighting fires isn’t for everybody, but we truly have a need for able-bodied folks. Firefighters must be able to do the tasks related to firefighting and that work is strenuous at times, including wearing breathing apparatus.
Volunteer firefighters also serve another valuable role in the community by being active in training and response, it saves everyone money! If there aren’t enough active volunteers, more money would be needed to hire additional career staff. Volunteering directly saves the community money. More information on how you can help is available by contacting the fire station at (252) 441-6234, or drop by for a visit and see first-hand how you can fill a valuable role in this community.
If going into burning buildings isn’t something you want to try, we still have room for you. The CVFD also has a dedicated Rehab unit that responds to structure fires. These folks are regular department members, but there is no firefighting duty. They attend trainings and operate alongside of the firefighters, filling a valuable role on the fire ground getting the crews ready to go back into action.
Download a volunteer member application here. (For firefighter or rehab member) Fill it out and simply drop it off at the station.
What about non-emergency activities? Can I still help?
We also have a need in our Support Group. Members help out behind the scenes on non-operational activities like fundraising, such as our weekly BINGO games, annual dinners, preparing our annual fundraising letter and a lot more. Fundraising is the cornerstone of our Support Group. The folks that help us out with these tasks are a big asset to us and the community. Even if you can only help the Support Group a couple of days a month, we are happy to have you. There are no training or attendance requirements for Support. More information is available by contacting the fire station at (252) 441-6234, or drop by for a visit.
