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.

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.

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