Question about volunteering...

[Ethan]

Hey guys/girls I was just wondering if departments mind hiring students as volunteers?

Let me explain...I'm going to be attending a pre-service course this September followed by a 2 yr paramedic course the next year. Now I’ve look into my city's volunteers status and it says they hire in the spring.

By next spring I will be 2/3s of my way through my pre-service program (going into 3rd semester); do you think a department will mind having a student (in class during the day) being a volunteer?

The way I see it: yes I’d be away at school during the day, and I work part time, but I have no wife and kids so I am still able to dedicate a large portion of my time to the department.

Anyway do you think I’d have a fighting chance or do departments frown on hiring people still attending school?


Ethan

[DFCSmash]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Ask them this question and see what happens. As long as your FD training doesn't intrfere with your primary focus (school) there really shouldn't be many issues. Good luck. :cool:

[Michael13]

Our Dept needs guys for the daytime, since most guys are away at work. So we DON'T hire unless you are available during the day.

[Scuba]

Our department is like Micheal13's......

Being one of the poor souls left around town durring the day......try standing in the hall waiting for someone else to show up after the tones drop and you'll understand why the shortage of daytime people is a bad thing.

[Brando]

Same here, its getting more and more difficult in rural depts to get recruits that are around all day. Not a nice feeling being dispatched for a structure fire and sitting there in the hall by yourself for what feels like an eternity.

That being said, the dept you are applying to may have more than enough day-timers available. Never hurts to ask.

[Ethan]

Well it is a big city...Burlington. Hmmmm well maybe next year I’ll have to change my schedule around. I want to get in one way or another.

Thanks for the info guys,

Ethan

[Brando]

City firehalls definately could be different.