1. Each prospective member must complete and submit a standard fire district application providing personal information, references, and relevant experience (if any). You will also be required to execute authorizations for the district Chief to speak with your references, check your driving records, and conduct a criminal background check. (Note: Effective December 2, 2014, NYS Executive Law §837-o required prospective volunteer firefighters (and current volunteers seeking membership in another fire company) to submit to a non-fingerprint criminal history background check for arson convictions and convictions which require registration as a sex offender. This review is conducted by the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department. If you have been convicted of an arson related crime or are required to be registered as a sex offender, you cannot be accepted as a member of any fire company in NYS). You also may decide that you only want to be an EMS responder.

• You must be at least 16 years of age to apply. A statement of parental or guardian consent must accompany an application from anyone under the age of 18 years.
• You must be a citizen of the United States.
• You must be physically, intellectually and emotionally capable of performing the duties according to your area of assignment.

2. The application for membership will be read for the first time at the next fire commission meeting after the application is received.

3. The applicant will be contacted to schedule an interview with the District Chief or a Deputy Chief.

• In the interview, you will be asked questions like:
  • What attracted you to our agency?
  • Which station do you want to be assigned to?
  • What work experience do you have?
  • What skills, experience or knowledge do you feel you have to contribute?
  • What are your strengths?
  • Do you have previous volunteer experience?
  • What would you like to get out of volunteering here?
  • What do you like to do in your spare time?
  • Do you like to work on your own, with a group or with a partner?
  • What questions and/or concerns do you have about becoming a firefighter and/or medical 1st responder?

While we are not looking for ‘canned answers,’ we hope that you will give these questions some thought and be prepared with your responses. Based on information from the interview and application process, reference investigations and the outcome of background checks, the District Chief will make his recommendation to the Fire Commission at the next meeting following the applicant interview.

4. A majority vote by the Fire Commission will determine whether applicants are accepted. If accepted, the new member will be notified to report to the fire station to be sworn in and complete follow-up processing. If not accepted, the applicant will be notified accordingly.

1. New members must complete a new recruit orientation program before responding to an emergency incident.

2. New members must also complete a free physical examination conducted by our medical provider. The outcome of this exam will determine whether you have any physical or medical conditions that might limit on the job duties you are qualified to perform as a member of the organization.

3. New members must also complete a 6-month probationary period. At the conclusion of this probationary period, your activities and performance will be reviewed and a determination made about whether you have met the qualifications for permanent membership in the organization.

4. Removal from probationary status can occur after the aforementioned requirements (and any other probationary requirements unique to the members job classification) are fulfilled.

Fire Department Equipment

1. Pagers – Probationary members will be issued a fire pager and a charger at the completion of their Pre-Basic Training/Transfer Packet.

2. Turnout Gear – Probationary members will be issued their own personal set of turnout gear. If turnout gear of the appropriate size is not available, the CJFD will accommodate the new member as much as possible until more can be purchased or acquired. All members are expected to properly maintain their turnout gear and other assigned CJFD equipment, and report any problems to the Fire Chief or Deputy Chief.

Responding to Calls

1. Personal Vehicles – All CJFD members are required to respond to the Fire Department for alarms. Members are not authorized to drive their personal vehicles to the scene of an emergency response incident. (Note: It is recognized, however, that when a member who is responding directly to the Fire Department directly passes the scene, s/he MAY stop and render assistance until the Fire Department arrives on scene. Since members responding directly to the scene typically do not have their protective gear with them, he or she must yield to the arriving fire department or EMS personnel.

2. Blue Lights (e.g.; “Courtesy Lights”) Members may request authorization to display a blue courtesy light on their vehicle. Blue Light authorization is granted under NYS Vehicle & Traffic Laws Sect. 375. The USE OF RED LIGHTS OR ANY OTHER WARNING DEVICES IS PROHIBITED. Responding members must obey all traffic laws and obey speed limits. Any member determined to be acting outside this policy will face disciplinary proceedings that could result in suspension or termination.

3. Riding Fire Apparatus – Probationary members are not eligible to ride fire apparatus until they have been approved by the District Chief. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the District Chief or a Deputy Chief attending the event. Probationary members SHALL NOT drive fire apparatus, nor should they ride in the officer’s position unless approved and/or supervised by an officer or senior firefighter. Members MUST don ALL personal protective equipment before the apparatus is set in motion. Members must be in proper passenger seats and have seat belts secured at all times while the apparatus is in motion. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ANY MEMBER RIDE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

4. Conduct At The Incident Scene – Members of the fire apparatus crew must remain on the apparatus until the apparatus officer gives out their assignments. Probationary members MUST remain with the apparatus officer or other designated member and follow their instructions. If a member does not understand their assignment they should ask for clarification from the

comfortable with an assignment they have been given, they should not hesitate to inform the officer. Probationary members should treat every call as a learning experience, and be observant and ask questions at the appropriate times. DO NOT ATTEMPT A JOB FOR WHICH YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TRAINED.

5. Returning From the Incident Scene – All members must return to the fire station on the apparatus on which they rode to the fire scene UNLESS another arrangement is made with the apparatus officer. At the conclusion of a fire or emergency response call, all members are expected to remain at the fire station and help complete any tasks necessary to put the apparatus back in service.

6. Incident Scene Confidentiality – The people that we come in contact with at an incident scene have a right to privacy. Under no circumstances should names or any other personal and/or protected information about individuals or families receiving services from the department be disclosed. All requests for such information should be directed to the Fire Chief or the Chief Officer on location.

Benefits / Coverage

1. NYS Volunteer Firefighter’s Benefit Law (VFBL) recognizes the volunteer tradition of American life, helps recognize acts of unselfish service by volunteer firefighters and their families, and provides financial support when a disabling line of duty injury or illness or death occurs. All active members of the CJFD are eligible for payment as a result of injury or illness that occurs in the line of duty.

· Written notice of a line of duty injury, illness or death must be submitted to the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board within 90 days of the occurrence. Benefits include insurance coverage for medical care and lost wages.

2. Supplemental Insurance – CJFD also provides active members with supplemental insurance coverage for line of duty related incidents of disability or death.

3. FASNY – Members of the CJFD are also eligible to apply for additional benefits provided by the Fireman’s Association of New York State (FASNY) including reimbursement for college tuition. From the FASNY webpage:

As an incentive for individuals to serve in New York’s volunteer fire service, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) has developed the Higher Education Learning Plan (FASNY HELP). This program will provide tuition reimbursement to student-volunteers for up to sixty-five (65) credit hours attained at a New York State chartered community college. FASNY HELP “Student-Volunteers” are eligible to have up to 100% of their tuition reimbursed in exchange for maintaining defined grades and fulfilling established service requirements in one of New York’s volunteer fire companies. There is no restriction on the type of academic course(s) the FASNY HELP student-volunteer can pursue. To participate in FASNY HELP you must be an active volunteer firefighter in good standing and a member of FASNY.