Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment Information

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Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment Information

For more information visit the Pelham Fire Dept. Volunteer Firefighter website at www.pfdvf.org Contact Information: Rick Striano - Volunteer Coordinator: rmstriano@optonline.net (914) 738-8286 Robert Glover - Chief of Department: (914) 738-2601 Village of Pelham Fire Department - Headquarters: 219 Fifth Avenue, Pelham NY 10803 Village of Pelham - Village Hall: (914) 738-2015 info@pelhamgov.com 195 Sparks Ave. Pelham, NY 10803 Frequently Asked Questions: Is the Pelham Fire Department all Volunteer? No. The PFD is a Combination Fire Department. This is a popular model in Westchester County which utilizes both Volunteer Firefighters and Career (paid) Staff. Career (paid) Firefighters staff the Pelham Fire Department Headquarters 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and respond with the apparatus. They attend the Career Firefighters Academy and are hired off a Civil Service list maintained by Westchester County. Volunteers are recruited locally and attend training classes periodically at the Westchester County Fire Training Center in Valhalla. There are currently three Volunteer Fire Companies. These members respond directly to the scene of an alarm when alerted through the use of Pagers and Horns. What type of apparatus does the PFD have? The PFD operates 2 Engines (Pumpers) which are used to supply water to hose lines attacking the fire, as well as to take water out of a nearby Fire Hydrant. The department also operates 1 Ladder Truck. This unit has both ground ladders for low level access to windows and roofs as well as a large 100' ladder to reach the roof and upper floors of larger buildings. The Village recently (2005) authorized the purchase of a new 100' Ladder Truck. A Rescue Unit, an enhanced version of a Sport Utility Vehicle, is used by the department to respond to emergency medical calls, rescues, public assistance and many other calls that the department responds to. Click to see PFD Apparatus Photos. What types of calls does the Pelham Fire Department respond to? The PFD responds to an average of 800 calls per year. These include activation of automatic residential and commercial fire alarm systems, odors of smoke, structural fires, vehicle fires, brush and rubbish fires, motor vehicle accidents, carbon monoxide alarms, hazardous materials incidents, rescues, public assistance and emergency medical calls. Volunteer members typically are not requested to respond to calls for Emergency Medical Services, as these calls are handled by the PFD Career (paid) Staff, the Pelham Police Department and Ambulance personnel. Click to see PFD Action Photos. Why should I join the Village of Pelham Fire Dept. as a Volunteer? The Village is always looking for new volunteers willing to serve in protecting the lives and property of the Pelham community. Volunteerism is an important part of ones civic duty and provides numerous benefits to the residents and merchants of the Village. Living in a small Village like Pelham provides citizens this opportunity to play such an important role in public safety. Volunteer Firefighters and Officers have served the Village well since 1893. A combination Fire Department, a department which utilizes both Career (paid) and Volunteer staff, results in a significant savings to Village Taxpayers. The cost of providing a 100% Career (paid) Fire Department far exceeds the annual cost of a combination department. An adequate number of dedicated and trained volunteers is essential to maintaining a combination system in the Village. What kind of people become Volunteer Firefighters? The answer is everyone. People of all ages, male and female, are encouraged to apply for membership. Age and physical limitations will be factored in when determining your status as a member with the department. Those with special skills may be requested to perform additional functions, on a volunteer basis, such as: administrative work, emergency planning, fundraising, recruitment and retention, coordinating community service events, grant research, etc. Are all Volunteers required to be "Interior"? No. "Interior" refers to the actual fighting of a fire inside a burning building. This requires special training, use of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) as well as experience gained through membership. Only trained and experienced Volunteers are permitted to be "Interior". Volunteers that do not wish to become "Interior" may participate in various other functions other than actual firefighting. "Exterior" members assist at the scene of a incident in various essential firefighting functions such as hydrant hookup, ladder placement, traffic and crowd control, etc. There are also various other opportunities to assist the department through functions that do not include emergency response. Do the Volunteer Fire Companies host events throughout the year? Yes. The Pelham Fire Department and its Volunteer Fire Companies host numerous events throughout the year to benefit the community and for members and their families. These include social gatherings with neighboring fire departments, sporting events, dinner cruise around New York City, holiday parties, Street Fairs, Parades, just to name a few, all at no cost to the members. Click on the link for more information and photos from the Annual Fire Inspection and Dinner. Does Pelham also have a Volunteer Ambulance Corp? No. The Town of Pelham (Pelham Village and Pelham Manor) receive ambulance services from a private contractor called Empress Ambulance Service. The Pelham Fire Department responds to calls for Emergency Medical Services in cooperation with Empress Ambulance and the Village of Pelham Police Department. Currently, the Town of Pelham utilizes a Paramedic "Fly Car" system, with transport to the Hospital being provided by an Empress Ambulance responding from out of town. How do I become a Career (paid) Firefighter in Pelham? Exams for uniformed services are administered by the Westchester County Department of Human Resources. Information on testing, civil service rules, etc. can be found on www.westchestergov.com. Application for Membership: Click here to download and print. Once you have completed the application, Contact the Volunteer Coordinator to set up a meeting.

Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment Information

For more information visit the Pelham Fire Dept. Volunteer Firefighter website at www.pfdvf.org

Contact Information:

Rick Striano - Volunteer Coordinator: rmstriano@optonline.net (914) 738-8286

Robert Glover - Chief of Department: (914) 738-2601

Village of Pelham Fire Department - Headquarters: 219 Fifth Avenue, Pelham NY 10803

Village of Pelham - Village Hall: (914) 738-2015 info@pelhamgov.com 195 Sparks Ave. Pelham, NY 10803

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is the Pelham Fire Department all Volunteer?

No. The PFD is a Combination Fire Department. This is a popular model in Westchester County which utilizes both Volunteer Firefighters and Career (paid) Staff. Career (paid) Firefighters staff the Pelham Fire Department Headquarters 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and respond with the apparatus. They attend the Career Firefighters Academy and are hired off a Civil Service list maintained by Westchester County. Volunteers are recruited locally and attend training classes periodically at the Westchester County Fire Training Center in Valhalla. There are currently three Volunteer Fire Companies. These members respond directly to the scene of an alarm when alerted through the use of Pagers and Horns.

What type of apparatus does the PFD have?

The PFD operates 2 Engines (Pumpers) which are used to supply water to hose lines attacking the fire, as well as to take water out of a nearby Fire Hydrant. The department also operates 1 Ladder Truck. This unit has both ground ladders for low level access to windows and roofs as well as a large 100' ladder to reach the roof and upper floors of larger buildings. The Village recently (2005) authorized the purchase of a new 100' Ladder Truck. A Rescue Unit, an enhanced version of a Sport Utility Vehicle, is used by the department to respond to emergency medical calls, rescues, public assistance and many other calls that the department responds to. Click to see PFD Apparatus Photos.

What types of calls does the Pelham Fire Department respond to?

The PFD responds to an average of 800 calls per year. These include activation of automatic residential and commercial fire alarm systems, odors of smoke, structural fires, vehicle fires, brush and rubbish fires, motor vehicle accidents, carbon monoxide alarms, hazardous materials incidents, rescues, public assistance and emergency medical calls. Volunteer members typically are not requested to respond to calls for Emergency Medical Services, as these calls are handled by the PFD Career (paid) Staff, the Pelham Police Department and Ambulance personnel. Click to see PFD Action Photos.

Why should I join the Village of Pelham Fire Dept. as a Volunteer?

The Village is always looking for new volunteers willing to serve in protecting the lives and property of the Pelham community. Volunteerism is an important part of ones civic duty and provides numerous benefits to the residents and merchants of the Village. Living in a small Village like Pelham provides citizens this opportunity to play such an important role in public safety. Volunteer Firefighters and Officers have served the Village well since 1893. A combination Fire Department, a department which utilizes both Career (paid) and Volunteer staff, results in a significant savings to Village Taxpayers. The cost of providing a 100% Career (paid) Fire Department far exceeds the annual cost of a combination department. An adequate number of dedicated and trained volunteers is essential to maintaining a combination system in the Village.

What kind of people become Volunteer Firefighters?

The answer is everyone. People of all ages, male and female, are encouraged to apply for membership. Age and physical limitations will be factored in when determining your status as a member with the department. Those with special skills may be requested to perform additional functions, on a volunteer basis, such as: administrative work, emergency planning, fundraising, recruitment and retention, coordinating community service events, grant research, etc.

Are all Volunteers required to be "Interior"?

No. "Interior" refers to the actual fighting of a fire inside a burning building. This requires special training, use of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) as well as experience gained through membership. Only trained and experienced Volunteers are permitted to be "Interior". Volunteers that do not wish to become "Interior" may participate in various other functions other than actual firefighting. "Exterior" members assist at the scene of a incident in various essential firefighting functions such as hydrant hookup, ladder placement, traffic and crowd control, etc. There are also various other opportunities to assist the department through functions that do not include emergency response.

Do the Volunteer Fire Companies host events throughout the year?

Yes. The Pelham Fire Department and its Volunteer Fire Companies host numerous events throughout the year to benefit the community and for members and their families. These include social gatherings with neighboring fire departments, sporting events, dinner cruise around New York City, holiday parties, Street Fairs, Parades, just to name a few, all at no cost to the members. Click on the link for more information and photos from the Annual Fire Inspection and Dinner.

Does Pelham also have a Volunteer Ambulance Corp?

No. The Town of Pelham (Pelham Village and Pelham Manor) receive ambulance services from a private contractor called Empress Ambulance Service. The Pelham Fire Department responds to calls for Emergency Medical Services in cooperation with Empress Ambulance and the Village of Pelham Police Department. Currently, the Town of Pelham utilizes a Paramedic "Fly Car" system, with transport to the Hospital being provided by an Empress Ambulance responding from out of town.

How do I become a Career (paid) Firefighter in Pelham?

Exams for uniformed services are administered by the Westchester County Department of Human Resources. Information on testing, civil service rules, etc. can be found on www.westchestergov.com.

Application for Membership:

Click here to download and print.

Once you have completed the application, Contact the Volunteer Coordinator to set up a meeting.




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