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| Volunteer Firefighter Program |  |
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In 1999, the Mount Vernon Fire Department started a new training program for our volunteer firefighters. Because of building construction and state laws to assist with firefighter safety, the job description has become more involved and technical which will require the volunteer to spend many hours training. The volunteer recruit training is three parts and completed over a one-year probationary period. When completed the volunteer will have the training to complete the Firefighter 1certification. In part 1, the applicant will participate in an orientation to see if the fire service will be right for them. Time commitments, training, incident exposure, and duration are physically and psychologically demanding, therefore an interview with the department administration allows them to see what the candidate can offer the Mount Vernon Fire Department with education, job experience, or special skills. Next, the candidate will participate in the physical abilities challenge that will test the candidates cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. The candidate will then be subject to a background investigation which completes part 1. | | | | After completion of the interview, physical abilities test, and a backround investigation the candidate will prepare for twelve weeks of recruit training. The recruit will be issued the appropriate protective equipment, rules of conduct, and encouragement as they will be sent through the Skagit County Recruit Academy (SCRA).The SCRA will give the recruit basic skills in firefighter Safety, fire behavior, fire extinguishers, hose handling and operation, ladder skills, search and rescue, first aid, hazardous materials, and a weekend at the State Fire Academy in North Bend, Wa. where the recruit will put these skills to work with "LIVE" fire training scenarios. The SCRA is 170 hours with classes being held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and all day Saturday for the 12 week period. The recruit must complete this course to become a volunteer firefighter with the Mount Vernon Fire Department. Volunteers that complete the entry level standards and training successfully move into fire suppression. Volunteers respond to a number of incidents to assist the career staff in the mitigation of an incident. Common responses include motor vehicle accidents, structure fires, motor vehicle fires, water removal, grass and wild-land fires, public assistance alarms, and mutual aid to other departments. Some of our volunteers play a vital role as support members. Support members are non-combat firefighters who assist at many of our emergency scenes and department events. The support personnel participate in rehabilitation (rehab) for suppression firefighters. Rehabilitation will provide fluids, meals, and medical monitoring during an incident. Support members will assist the command post as aides, runners for information gathering, traffic control, and clean up of the emergency scene. | | | | The recruits final challenge of the probationary period is the completion of the "recruit manual". The recruit will also learn where to locate and operate the equipment on the fire apparatus during their Monday evening and Saturday morning drills. In this probationary year the volunteer firefighter will respond on several emergencies at any time and assist the career firefighters in mitigating the incident. At the completion of the probationary period the volunteer will have completed 350 hours of training and community service. | | | | In conclusion, the Mount Vernon Fire Department values the community and the people that are willing to dedicate this amount of time to assist us in making the city a safer place to live and visit. The Mount Vernon Fire Department is not currently hiring volunteers at this time. Thank You | | |
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Calendar of Events
Little Mountain Trail Work Parties
3/13/2010 - 12/11/2010
Volunteer trail building at Little Mountain Park is underway. If you're interested in helping please come to a volunteer work party at 10am-4:30pm on 3/13, 3/27, 4/10, 4/24 and additional dates listed below.
Effective Resume Writing
3/17/2010
6:30pm. Join Skagit Valley College Professors
Brian Hanchett and Jim Jolly for this free program at the Mount Vernon City Library.
27th Annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
4/1/2010 - 4/30/2010
Come see the colorful walk-in tulip fields & enjoy the many activities and events throughout April, including visits to local farms, nurseries & wineries, art shows, the Street Fair, Kiwanis Salmon BBQ, & much more.
Downtown Mount Vernon Street Fair
4/16/2010 - 4/18/2010
1st Street, Fri & Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Live music at two stages, children's activities and a wonderful variety of food, with artisans from 8 states. Over 100 juried arts and crafts vendors.
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