For Emergencies Please Call 911
Become A McCutchanville Firefighter
Join the Fire Department
FIRE FIGHTING IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, BUT VOLUNTEERING CAN BE
There is plenty of opportunity to serve your community through the volunteer fire service, and much of it has nothing to do with fire fighting.
Fire and emergency medical services are one of the most challenging professions today. It is this diversity that inspires most men and women to enter the fire and EMS services. This business is not for everyone however. You need more than just desire to help people. You need courage, dedication, assertiveness and a willingness to learn new skills and face new challenges.
The personal rewards and satisfaction received from the volunteer emergency medical services are often beyond description. There is a sense of accomplishment after controlling a building fire, joy and elation when a child is born or a life is saved, compassion for accident victims, and fulfillment in teaching fire safety.
We have various committees within the company, all of which you will be welcomed to join. Running and maintaining a company of our size is time consuming and at times, costly, so the volunteering of your time is something we value. We also maintain a computer system, attend to regular truck and equipment maintenance, as well as tending to fundraising, banquets, memorial services, member activities, parades, and a full menu of things that need to be done by the volunteers. Other committees include membership, fire prevention, training and our maintenance committee.
What does it take to be a firefighter?
Most of our members at the McCutchanville Fire Department have entered the company with no previous fire or EMS experience. McCutchanville firefighters pride themselves on a strong foundation of training that begins on the first day. While formal training to ride is eventually required, new members are able to ride in a limited capacity after receiving basic in-house training.
Initial formal training consists of the Essentials of Firefighting class taught at our Station Five off of Petersburg Road. Students receive instruction in theories of fire behavior and suppression, forcible entry, ventilation, property salvage, basic hazardous materials training, as well as first aid and CPR. Most of the class is hands-on and successful completion results in state certification as a Basic Firefighter. Upon completing the Essentials of Firefighting class, members are welcome to take additional specialty classes that are applicable to our operations that interest them. Such classes include vehicle rescue, rope rescue, hazardous materials, and firefighting operations.
Perhaps the most important aspect of our training comes from our weekly crew nights which are held every Thursday night from 7-9pm. Officers conduct drills to sharpen everyone’s skills or to try out a new procedure.