Distance from Hall

[wannabe]

How close do you guys live to the hall you work out of? Do you know the max distance they accept?

Here's the dilemma...

I just decided to give up my pursuit of a full-time firefighting position. I have been given a huge opportunity to jump into a career that is just to great to pass up. This is a super positive thing for me and I'm going full steam ahead with it.

The only problem is that I can't seem to shake this firefighting "thing". It has been my passion for 2 1/2 yrs now. You guys know how it is... it's just in you. I was going to be a firefighter. I knew it. I had a hell of a plan. Was continuously going to extra mile, was meeting all kinds of great rolemodels who offered help. etc etc.

So... I have alot of training already. I thought I'd look into volunteering. The problem is that I live in London. The closest volunteer hall to my house is Dorcester... 15 min drive.

Think they would look at me at all?

[macdonald_13]

I can't imagine just because you've been wanting to be a firefighter, they would let you still be on a squad that'd 15 mins away. thats critical time if someone is in trouble. since you have previous training though, it could never hurt to try.

[wannabe]

No, I agree with you on that. I thought maybe in a Hazmat role or something. I have my Hazmat tech cert and will be going further in that area. I also need it in my new job.

Or in a back up kind of situation... grasping at straws here :)

[Red_Devil]

15mins from a hall, i dont think they would go for that, also haz mat.....being a haz mat tech I have some knowledge in this area. Most small volunteer depts dont have a hazmat truck they rely on larger depts such as the dept where you looking at relying on London. If its truely your passion and only 15mins mins away, why not move closer to the volunteer hall for a bit, dont know if your single or married with a family but if your single then why not. Hey you should also take the job, and continue to pursue your dreams, you can still take courses, be a volunteer and apply to depts in your area and still be able to live your dream.

[TiSme]

Hmmmm .... 15 mins is a long way out. We have one guy who is about 7 mins out. He responds to the hall and waits to see if we need a second in unit or as relief.

It will probably depend on how well staffed they are and how often they operate in the rual. It never hurts to ask.

Good-Luck :)

[bfrd22]

I agree with TiSme: It never hurts to ask,

I know on our Dept you must live with in town limits. We tried to have it expanded to 2 miles out side limits but with little luck.

Generally some depts state that you need to be within the response area. Or Live with in a 10 min area, Again during staff shortages these get relaxed sometimes.

But again you never know till you ask and good luck

[ehetu]

It's all relative... I'm 12 minutes away (if I value my life) but that's because my sector of the municipality is cut off from the rest of it and I have to drive through 2 other cities limits to get to the main firehall (we're fixing this by building another firehall -- then I'll be about 45 seconds away). So at the moment I rarely drive a truck code 3 or code 4 ... but I'm on scene in plenty of time to be useful.

If the township/municipality you're interested in has a burning (pardon the pun) need for vollies, they'll make an exception -- if they've got a waiting list you're toast.

edmond
Chelsea FD

[JGallagher]

It shouldnt matter. What about those that are working in the city that you live? They have to go the same distance to get there as you if they are allowed to leave to go to a call.

[Whitewater_419]

It definitely doesn't hurt to try. While most of our crew *lives* within 5 minutes of the hall, many of them *work* anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes out - Some of those folks simply carry their gear with them and go directly to the scene on the page-out. If you've got a lot of firefighter training, I think that will be an asset to your hall that they won't dismiss out-of-hand.

I say go for it - You'll feel better about yourself if you at least try :)

[wannabe]

ok, you guys are right.... I'm going to call them next week. Who knows eh?

Good point RD about the hazmat... I'm sure they rely on London for those jobs.

Thanks for the posts :)

Paula

[Brando]

On our dept, you just have to live in the fire zone. That could mean you live next door to the hall or 20 minutes from it. I live and work about 30 seconds from the hall, which is in town, but we cover the surrounding townships. Its always nice to have the guys scattered around the township.

I dont know the area worth anything, are you 15 minutes from the depts fire zone or the hall?

Either way, it NEVER hurts to ask. Thats how I got on. The timing just worked out and took advantage of the situation. The worst they can say is no.

[Hamp42]

Here, you have to live in the Town limits. But with daytime traffic, some people can take 7 minutes or more to get to the hall. I live only 3 minutes away and usually have little trouble.

[DFCSmash]

Well wannabe/TFW/Paula, a 15 minute drive isn't an insurmountable thing, but I am afraid it's going to be an obstacle. Having said that, GO FOR IT. Worst they can say is no thanks. And one never knows.

I wish you the best in whatever comes your way. You never know when the firefighting thing will resurface. May all go well.:)

[iamvff]

Keep your turn out gear in a bag at home, have a radio on hand, by the time you get there, someone will be tired and ready for a fresh replacement, or just a quick break even. There are lots of jobs still available for the person who is 5 minutes behind on a fire call! They may need something picked up at the hall, that they didn't realize they needed. Sell yourself to them....It's a volunteer dept., what is it going to cost them...??? OH...and tell them about all the really cool power tools you've got. You'll be in for sure;)

Be safe,
iamvff

[tcvfd16]

Hey Wannabe

I'm on the Dorchester department and sorry to say we can not take you on. To be on you have to live in Thames Centre.
As for myself I'm about 5 miles for the hall at home and round 10miles when at the farm.

Yes we do use London for Hazmat

You can call the Chief and talk about it..
Paul Hunter
home 268-3414
office 268-7334

move into the township and apply...just had another gent quit...

Jeff

[ThFyrWthn]

Thanks DFCSmash, iamvff :) I think i just mossey on down there just to check them out :) Thanks for the well wishes :)

Thanks for the info Jeff. So you guys are looking eh? :)

I'll have to check out the town, I have 4 little guys that I'd be moving as well if I went for it.

decisions...decisions :)

Life's Never boring though! LOL

[mutts252]

personally, i'm a solid 11 to 12 minutes out from the hall (driving time only), and that's if i'm really booting it (ie structure fire, VSA, something nasty like that). it's a good 14 if it's a general medical call or something not super-urgent. sure, i may never get to take a truck from the hall - but i'm also usually not the last one on scene.

besides, you might get caught lucky and be in the hall (or right close) when the tones go off. don't let distance stop you... if you're in their 'service area', try and join - eventually, they're bound to get a call such that you're the closest one to the scene, and you haven't even left home yet!

never give up... it's worth workign for it! :D