IT'S NOT EASY!
Becoming a Volunteer with East Pierce Fire and Rescue can be one of the most rewarding things you have ever done.  We take great pride in the quality of service we offer to our communities.  We train to the highest standard and practice those skills each time we put on our uniform. 

To the public there are no discernable difference between career from volunteer firefighters and EMTs.  Within East Pierce Fire and Rescue we work side by side our career counterparts providing uncompromising professional service. 

Our volunteers represent a cross section of the District.  Young and old, male and female join our ranks for a wide variety of reasons.  Some join because they wish to give back to our community.  Others join for the excitement and rush of helping people during an emergency situation.  Yet others join as the first step in a career in the fire service.

The East Pierce Volunteer Program offers two paths for success -- one for individuals who plan to remain a volunteer and the other as a way to prepare for a career in the fire service. Typically those who wish to remain volunteers enjoy being a part of an organization that takes care of the community in which they live.  The second path is for those individuals who wish to begin a career as a firefighter.  Both paths require many dedicated hours for training and practical skills.  The large amount of time and commitment should be carefully considered by you and your loved ones prior to making the decision to join the ranks. 

 
 Volunteers train with the career firefighters in rescue drills, including swift water rescue.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A VOLUNTEER

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

• 18 years old before date of hire
• Possess a  valid WA State Drivers License
• Able to lift 50 lbs. (good physical condition)
• Live in our District or within 10 minutes of one of our fire stations.
• High school graduate or equivalent

Orientation Course:

All recruits attend a 60-hour orientation course.

All new East Pierce volunteers are trained as firefighters
and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

 

 

                    EMT Certification 

• All attend 140-hour State-certified EMT course

  Firefighter 1 Certification

• Firefighter recruits will attend a 310-hour State-certified fire academy

All Volunteers:

• Must attend a minimum of 75% of the weekly drills
• Must regularly participate in general alarms, calls and public education events
• Must be actively participating in the Volunteer Experience Opportunity Program. (VEOP)

 

VOLUNTEER CAREER PATHS

Support - Expanded training as a first responder, basic first aid and CPR for Professionals.  Your duties may include providing support for mass casualty incidents, on the fire grounds and at public education events.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Duties to include all of the above, plus patient care, transport of patients to area hospitals and ongoing continuous training in pre-hospital medicine.

Firefighter/EMT - Duties include all of the above, plus Respond to the needs of our community based on the core principles of the fire service: Life Safety, Incident Stabilization and Property Conservation. Firefighter/EMTs undergo ongoing training in fire behavior, extinguishment, building construction, equipment, forcible entry, rescue and extrication.

Special Operations:
(Once minimum standards have been met, volunteers can apply as members of a special ops team.)

• Wildland Team
• Technical Rescue
• Water Rescue        
• Hazardous Materials Team
• BLS Transport