Ojo Caliente Volunteer Fire & Rescue
On the road to Ojo Caliente Hot Springs
Fire Department serves as defacto Community Center for food distribution, acequia meetings and events Frequently Asked Questions about Volunteering for a Fire Department
Who volunteers? Volunteers consist of men and women, of every race and age. What exactly is the definition of a Fire Department volunteer? The term "vol
unteer" may be used in reference to a group of part-time or on-call members / firefighters who may have other occupations when not engaged in occasional firefighting or other service. Although they may have "volunteered" to become members, and to respond to the call for help, they are not compensated as employees during the time they are responding to or attending an emergency scene, and possibly even for training drills. What are the qualifications for a volunteer member / firefighter? In GENERAL, you have to be 18 years of age or older. High school graduate or equivalent is required. Valid New Mexico driver’s license. Must demonstrate use of good judgment and decision-making skills, good physical condition and have strong community and customer service orientation. Fire Department Volunteer opportunities vary greatly from department to department. Most departments have a minimum age requirement, though some allow younger members to enroll as 'explorers' or junior volunteer firefighters. Physical testing procedures vary. I am an older individual considering volunteer service. Is there an upper age limit given the physical demands of the job or for any other reason? There isn’t an age restriction on the upper limit. We encourage all individuals, regardless of age, to consider a rewarding experience as a volunteer. There are many examples of individuals who begin volunteer service later in life and are very successful. Do volunteers get paid? Volunteers do not get paid. Can a volunteer position lead to a career in fire service? Volunteering is one of the best ways to get the necessary training and experience to be an attractive candidate for a career firefighting position. Other volunteer efforts can lead to a department career position (Public Education, Administrative Support, and Facilities Maintenance.) How many hours do volunteer firefighters work? Due to the department size we do not require a minimum amount of time spent volunteering at the moment. However, we do require that members make an honest effort to attend meetings, department functions and calls for service on a regular basis. Calls may occur at any time of the day or night. We understand that we are volunteers and we have lives outside of the department but a member MUST MAKE AN HONEST EFFORT TO PARTICIPATE. Participation will be used to determine eligibility to participate in trainings, promotion in rank and other areas after a probationary period. How many hours does it take to train to become a volunteer firefighter? The length of these programs varies, but all firefighters are required to have training that meets the State’s minimum requirements for emergency response. The length of the training varies between fire departments. Other support volunteer opportunities usually require less preparation. Can I become a volunteer EMT at my local fire department? At OCVFR, EMT calls are the bulk of our calls. EMTs are welcome at any level. The department may help with additional training and classes based on County approval etc. Getting Started as a Volunteer Member / Firefighter
Make sure you are ready to commit. Making the decision to become a volunteer member / firefighter should not be taken lightly. Becoming a firefighter takes hundreds of hours of training and a strong commitment to the service. It is, however, a highly rewarding experience for most members. If you don’t feel you meet all the qualifications, you may still want to submit a request to find out if there are ‘non-combat’ opportunities at your local department. Many departments need and welcome support services.
