Volunteering at the Surry Fire Department
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be a volunteer firefighter?
If you have the desire to serve, you can be a volunteer firefighter. You don’t need any prior experience in emergency services; you will receive the training you need when you join the department. A background and driving record check will be required. A volunteer must be in good health condition, be respectful, and determined.
What is the age minimum to become a firefighter?
You must be at least 18 years old to participate in hazardous activities. We do have a junior firefighter program for mature 14-17 year olds with parental permission to volunteer to participate in limited activities.
Why volunteer?
The majority of fire departments and firefighters in the United States are volunteer. When your friends and neighbors in your community have an emergency, they need your help. Volunteers enjoy a sense of accomplishment, achievement, and pride in the work they do. In addition, volunteers get to learn new skills, make new friends, be a part of a team, give back to their community, and make a real difference.
What roles are there in the fire department?
We have both emergency and non-emergency roles available.
Emergency: Firefighter, Engineer (Driver/Operator), Vehicle Rescue, and Support
Non-emergency: Administrative, Community Education, Maintenance, and Grants
What is the time commitment?
We meet most Monday nights at 6:30pm for around an hour and a half for equipment checks, meetings, and training. You don’t have to attend all of them. There are certain initial and recurring training requirements to be an active member, depending on what roles you’re interested in. Once trained, we ask that you respond to appropriate emergency calls when you’re in town and able to.
How do I get started?
Complete the form below and we’ll be in touch shortly! We’ll meet with you for initial paperwork and ask you to come to some training and meeting nights to ensure this is a good role for you. We have a simple interview process and then you’ll be voted in as a regular member at one of our monthly meetings. Once you have the necessary training and equipment assigned to you, you’ll be able to start responding to emergency calls.