Redings Mill Fire District Volunteer Scholars Program

Transcription

1 BE PART OF THE TRADITION-BE PART OF THE EXCITEMENT-BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY BE PART OF THE TRADITION-BE PART OF THE EXCITEMENT-BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY Redings Mill Fire District Volunteer Scholars Program The Volunteer Scholars program is an opportunity for students to earn up to $10,000 in tuition assistance over 4 semesters and be provided free housing, in exchange for volunteering as a firefighter at Redings Mill Fire District. The program includes training to become a volunteer firefighter prior to receiving tuition assistance. Assistance may be used for tuition, books and fees while attending college. Housing may be provided at no charge in one of our fire stations. The participants commit to volunteer time at Redings Mill Fire District, and have the opportunity to prepare for a career in the Fire Service if they choose that career path. The program does not require you to be studying Fire Science. Applications are being accepted until 6 openings in this program are filled. Required firefighter training will begin in June For information about this Redings Mill Fire District Program please contact Deputy Chief Michael White at or visit rmfd.org BE PART OF THE TRADITION-BE PART OF THE EXCITEMENT-BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY

2 Redings Mill Fire District Volunteer Scholars Program Guide Redings Mill Fire Protection District received notification on Friday July 24, 2015 that they were awarded a grant for $103,040 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant program. This grant provides college tuition assistance for 8 volunteer firefighters. This grant program requires a 4 year commitment in which the participants will attend Redings Mill Fire Districts Basic Training, Medical Training, and Driver Training, and then be provided tuition assistance for future semesters. The program must be completed by August This program will be open to volunteer firefighters who are Residential Engineers (who live in one of our stations) and volunteer firefighters who live in our fire district. As of February 2017 Redings Mill Fire District has 6 positions available that may provide tuition assistance in the amount of $10,000 each over the length of the program. In addition Redings Mill Fire District may provide housing during the length of the program at one of our fire stations free of charge to the participants. Here is how the program will work: Applications for the program will be taken until all 8 scholarships are filled. All applicants will be background screened and will be interviewed by a committee as applications are received. Selection will be made after an interview is completed and offers to join the program made shortly thereafter. Priority will be given to students who want to fill one of the Resident Engineer positions. Additional persons may complete the program as in district volunteers. High School Grade Point Average, GED Testing Scores, ACT Scores, as well as the Compass Assessment test score will weigh heavily on acceptance to this program. You must have a high school diploma or GED and have graduated with a minimum 0 Cumulative Grade Point Average or have a minimum ACT Score of 18 in Reading and English and 23 in Math, or score college level placement in those areas on the Missouri Compass test. You must meet all enrollment requirements for the college you are attending. Students may use the tuition assistance for any college courses, as long as they are in good standing with Redings Mill Fire District. The assistance will be paid directly to the college which they are enrolled. You must be 18 years of age to apply.

3 You must have a valid Missouri driver s license, dependable vehicle and show proof of insurance. You will be using your vehicle for some responses and travel between stations, and your college campus. Students must attend the Medical First Responder Course, Basic Firefighting Academy and Driver Training Academy prior to receiving tuition assistance. During the program each person must volunteer the following hours at Redings Mill Fire District: Resident Engineers: 240 hours per month of station shifts between RMFD Station 1 and your assigned station. Months that your college courses are in session the required hours will be reduced to 180 per month. You will also be required to respond to an average of 20% of RMFD responses per month (approximately 20 per month) and attend 12 hours of in-house training sessions per month. In-District Volunteers: 48 hours per month of station shifts at an assigned time and station. Months that your college station shifts are in session the required hours will be reduced to 32 per month. You will also be required to respond to an average of 10% of RMFD responses per month (approximately 10 per month) and attend 12 hours of weekly training sessions per month. Funding for this program ends in September of 2019, so all assistance must be completed by August 31, 2019 Successful completion of the Medical First Responder Course or Basic Firefighter Course is required prior to moving into a resident station. Students must maintain a minimum 0 Grade Point Average per semester. Funding is being paid per semester and the student must maintain the grade point average as well as complete their required volunteer hours for each month during the semester in order to have additional semesters funded. If you have previous college credits, you may apply for the program. Please provide a transcript of the courses completed with your application. We will take into consideration the length of time required to complete your coursework and how that fits into our program goals. Redings Mill Fire Protection District will assist with the following types of costs over the term of the program: -Tuition -Course Fees and Lab Fees -Enrollment Fees -Rental for Books required for each course

4 -Online Course Fees and Registration Costs -Certification Testing Fees -Internet access at our fire station residents In addition Redings Mill Fire District provides all firefighting safety equipment to National Fire Protection Association standards. Students in the Residential Engineer (living in our stations) program are required to provide a $250 cleaning deposit and provide renters insurance. Students are required to meet all regulations in the Redings Mill Fire Protection District Standard Operating Guideline for Resident Engineers and Volunteer Firefighters. (Provided upon request) Students will be required to complete certification testing for the following courses within 60 days of course completion: -Emergency Medical Technician -Firefighter I & II -Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations - Driver-Operator (1 st priority) Fire Officer I, Instructor I Applications accepted until all positions are filled. Please provide the attached application, as well as a copy of your high school transcript, ACT Scores and college transcript (if applicable) to: Mailing Address Physical Address Deputy Chief Michael White PO Box Redings Mill Road Joplin MO Joplin MO or mwhite@rmfd.org Feel free to contact Deputy Chief White with any questions you may have prior to submitting your application.

5 About Redings Mill Fire District Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Redings Mill Fire Protection District. We hope our meeting leads to a long relationship serving the residents of Redings Mill Fire Protection District. The Fire District was formed in 1978 by some local residents who wanted to serve their community and provide fire protection and emergency services. This came about due to large grass fires in the area and the lack of a local fire department to respond to these fires. In 1986 the department became a Fire Protection District which allowed a property tax to be levied to fund operations. The department was still a mostly all-volunteer department for many years until 2006 when a funding increase allowed us to hire full time firefighters that staff Station We currently have four firefighters on duty 24/7 at Station 1 with a full time Fire Chief, Deputy Chief and Assistant Chief. Redings Mill Fire District averages about 1200 calls per year. Our department continues to need volunteer firefighters for all types of responses. On structure fires the need is for at least 12 firefighters to respond in order to operate effectively. With a maximum of 7 paid staff on duty daily, you can see the need for an additional 5 volunteers to respond. And that doesn t take into account additional calls that may need responses simultaneously. So we look at Redings Mill Fire District as a Volunteer Fire Department supported by some paid staff and not the other way around. Our volunteers not only support emergency responses, but also public education events, community programs and the daily needs of a six station fire district that covers 110 square miles of suburban residential homes, businesses, and farmland. Our DNA There is no doubt that becoming a volunteer firefighter with Redings Mill Fire District may be one of the most challenging things you do in your life. It may be one of the most rewarding also. Volunteering at Redings Mill Fire District is about one thing and one thing only: Serving the community! Our simple two word motto is We Care! Those two words describe our attitude toward those we serve and each other as firefighters. Everything we do is focused on the fact that We Care about our community enough to put in hour upon hour in preparing ourselves and our equipment to be ready when someone needs us. We Care is in our departments DNA and we wouldn t have it any other way.

6 Becoming a Redings Mill Fire District Volunteer Redings Mill Fire District has two volunteer firefighter programs. In District volunteer firefighters are those who live in our fire district (we allow those living in the city of Joplin south of 32 nd St. to volunteer with us). They respond from their homes to emergencies in the fire district. Those in our Volunteer Scholars program are required to spend 48 hours per month at an assigned station. 32 hours per month when college courses are being taken. The second volunteer program is our Resident Engineer program. This program allows firefighters to live in one of our stations free of rent in exchange for spending at least 240 hours per month available to respond. Volunteer Scholars hour requirements are 180 hours per month when college courses are attended. Resident Engineers are also responsible for light station maintenance, and keeping the apparatus in the station ready for calls. All potential volunteers are required to provide an application, pass a background check, and complete an interview process, after which you will be invited to join the department or not. The initial time as a volunteer in either program will be spent learning how to be a safe and competent firefighter. As you can imagine, this will take a large time commitment. This training begins with a three weekend Basic Training Academy where you will learn the department s history, operating guidelines and basic firefighter skills. This is a requirement for all of our new staff whether you have previous firefighting experience or not. A few weeks later you will attend a two weekend Medical First Responder course that will teach basic life-saving skills for EMS calls. The third course is a 12 hour Emergency Vehicle Operator Course. This course is a requirement for all new apparatus drivers. If you are an in-district volunteer and want to have emergency warning lights and siren, you must take this course before you re approved to have them. After these courses are completed you re on your way to becoming a Redings Mill Fire District Firefighter! Ongoing training is a must. We have several opportunities each week for training. This includes a training session every Tuesday night for volunteers. If you can t make that training session we repeat that training for our career staff each Wednesday during the morning and afternoon. Can t make it in person? We have an online training system also, that can help you keep current. Hands-on training is always best, as it allows you to practice as you learn new skills. It is also very important for building trust in each other that we have the physical skills and mental skills to act and think clearly during an emergency response. It s worth taking a moment to state that some people get overwhelmed with emergency responses. This business is not for everyone. We are all being constantly evaluated on our skills, both physical and mental. If you re struggling in an area we are going to do everything we can to help you. But there comes a time that if we feel you can t respond safely we may have to ask you to resign. That doesn t happen often, but the safety of our staff and community must come first. What we ask of you as a volunteer firefighter After your initial training, our first and foremost need is for you to respond to emergency calls. We would like you to respond to of the average 100 calls we run per month. To some that may not sound like much, to others that may be a lot. The challenge is these calls come 24 hours per day and during family meals, holidays, and overnight. We don t expect you to put emergency responses ahead of everything else in your life, but understand there will be conflicts. Make sure your family supports you before you commit to the department. Being a career or volunteer firefighter is a commitment to say the least. But it takes commitment to do anything worthwhile and we think helping others when they

7 most need it is worth making the commitment. In addition to responses we have weekly training from 6:30-9:00 on Tuesday nights. We have some additional training classes available on a few weekends each year. You have the opportunity to volunteer to help with Public Education events a few times per month also. These aren t required but we need our volunteers to help in order to meet the need in the community. All you ll need to provide to be a firefighter is your time, energy and a vehicle to respond in. What you ll receive as a Redings Mill Fire District Volunteer Firefighter The biggest payback for being a Redings Mill Fire District Volunteer Firefighter is a sense of accomplishment and pride in serving your community and being part of the fire department family. It s not about us as firefighters inside the station; it s about the people out there in the community that need us!! There is nothing like being able to help someone on their worst day and bring some good to an emergency. We have to remember that when someone calls 911 it is probably their worst day. By being trained and prepared at a high level, we have the ability to save lives, make the problem better, and show those to whom we respond that We Care! You ll receive respect from your community. Not a day goes by that someone in the community doesn t walk up to one of our firefighters and thank them for what they do! You ll receive a high level of training and safety equipment. We pride ourselves in the equipment and personal protective gear the our department has. All of it is compliant with today s safety standards. We can t promise a career here at Redings Mill Fire District, but when we have openings in our career positons we look at our own volunteers first. In fact a recent study of our own volunteer staff showed that over the last 15 years, 68 of 77 volunteer firefighters that had applied for full time positions in fire or EMS jobs had been hired. That s an 88% hire rate for our volunteers!! Our current and former volunteers are Fire Chiefs, Training Chiefs, Battalion Chiefs, Paramedics, and firefighters all over this region. One of the biggest benefits of being a Redings Mill Fire District Volunteer is that we provide free training that prepares you for these positons whether your goal is Chief of the Department or to be able to respond in your neighborhood when needed. Finally, you be part of the team here at Redings Mill Fire District. New members and their families become part of our family quickly. We use the terms brotherhood (and sisterhood) often in the fire service. We take care of each other and each other s family to the best of our ability. We have fun, play some jokes, but most of all we become a team and family trying to accomplish a high level of service to our community! Together we show our community and each other that We Care!! Are you ready to take the next step? We are ready for you!! If you are ready to become part of the team, please contact Deputy Chief Michael White at or mwhite@rmfd.org. We look forward to speaking to you!

8 Redings Mill Fire Protection District Volunteer Scholars Application The Redings Mill Fire Protection District is a caring and progressive fire department. We strive for excellence to be able to provide support and care to our community and peers; therefore, we demand excellence and stability in all of our applicants. Our applicants go through a thorough application process and rigorous training program once approved for membership. Please see the Volunteer Scholars Program Guide for program requirements Minimum of 18 years of age Must be able to perform the duties required of your position and level of training Must be willing to attend the required number of training sessions for your position 4. Must be willing to serve the Redings Mill Fire District community with the utmost professionalism and customer service as our goal. Applicant Information Name (First, Middle, Last) Street Address City ST ZIP Code Home Phone Work Phone Mobile Phone Address Driver License Number (State) Social Security Number Present Employer Date of Birth: Date of Employment: References 4. Name Phone Number Relationship Years Known

9 Last Three Residences Address City, State Owner/Landlord Name Phone Number Availability During which hours are you available for volunteer assignments? Weekdays mornings Weekday afternoons Weekday evenings Weekday overnight Weekend mornings Weekend afternoons Weekend evenings Weekend overnight Interests Tell us in which areas you are interested in volunteering (Choose all that apply) In District Volunteer Firefighter (Must live in in Redings Mill Fire District or in the City of Joplin south of 32 nd St) Resident Firefighter (Volunteers who live in our stations free of charge) Have you ever been a member of a Fire Department, Rescue Squad, First Responder Group, or Ambulance Service? If so please provide the following: Previous Emergency Services Agencies Department Name Street Address City, State, ZIP Code Phone Contact Name Dates as a Member Position Held Reason for Leaving

10 Previous Emergency Services Agencies Department Name Street Address City, State, ZIP Code Phone Contact Name Dates as a Member Position Held Reason for Leaving Special Skills or Qualifications Summarize special skills and qualifications you have acquired from employment, previous volunteer work, or through other activities, that may benefit Redings Mill Fire Protection District. Previous Volunteer Experience Summarize your previous volunteer experience. Colleges or Technical Schools Attended Name of Institution Date of Attendance Degrees or Certifications Name of Institution Date of Attendance Degrees or Certifications Name of Institution Date of Attendance Degrees or Certifications Name of Institution Date of Attendance Degrees or Certifications

11 Do you currently hold any medical or first aid Certifications? YES NO If yes, Please list current certification dates, license number, and expiration dates: Medical Certifications 4. Certifications Date Certified License Number Expiration Dates Please list all other certifications that are applicable to this application: Other Certifications: 4. Certification Date Certified Number (if applicable) Expiration Date Do you use any Social Networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Linked In, etc.? If so, please provide the username or ID for your page. Social Networking Sites: 4. Site Name Web Address Have you ever been convicted of a crime (felony or misdemeanor)? YES NO If yes, please indicate date, charge, location, court, and disposition: Felonies or Misdemeanor Convictions: 4. Charge Date Location Court Disposition Please note that a conviction may not automatically bar you from membership. Each case is considered and evaluated on an individual basis in relation to the duties and responsibilities you would perform as a department member.

12 Has your driver s license ever been suspended? If so, provide dates of suspension and reason for suspension. Is your driver s license currently suspended? YES NO Driver s License Suspensions 4. Date of Suspension Reason for Suspension Please list any traffic violations that have occurred in the last 5 years. Please provide date, location, and charge. Traffic Violations: Date Location Charge Please provide a copy of your driver s license. Please provide copies of any certificates that are applicable to this application. Attach additional pages if needed to support any section of this application. Agreement and Signature By signing below and forwarding this application to Redings Mill Fire Protection District, I certify that all the information provided in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I authorize investigation of all statements contained in this application including criminal background, drug test, and fitness for work physical as applicable. I understand that any false or incomplete statement may disqualify me from further consideration for employment or volunteering and may result in my immediate discharge if discovered at a later date. I authorize the investigation of any or all statements contained in this application and authorize any person, school, current or past employer, and other organizations to provide information concerning my previous employment and other relevant information than may be useful in making a hiring decision or accepting the applicant as a volunteer. I release such persons and organizations from any legal liability in providing such information or making such statements. By signing below I am certifying that I have read, understand and agree to the above statements. Name (printed) Signature Date Our Policy It is the policy of this organization to provide equal opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual preference, or age.

13 On a separate sheets of paper, please provide a maximum 1 page per question answering the following questions: Why do you believe you would be an asset to Redings Mill Fire District s Volunteer Scholars Program? Provide a brief background on your high school academic achievements and challenges. Explain your goals for the future and how this program will help meet those goals. 4. Tell us why you want to pursue a career in the emergency services? 5. Tell us how you expect to manage the demands of your volunteer time, college course time and work time. 6. Is there anything else you would like us to know while reviewing your application? Applications accepted until all positions are filled. Please provide the attached application, as well as a copy of your high school transcript, ACT Scores and college transcript (if applicable) to: Mailing Address Physical Address Deputy Chief Michael White PO Box Redings Mill Road Joplin MO Joplin MO or mwhite@rmfd.org Feel free to contact Deputy Chief White with any questions you may have prior to submitting your application.