Volunteering while trying to get hired

[6Duron1]

Do departments allow you to volunteer at their stations while in the hiring process or should I just wait it out and just keep working out?

[FyredUp]

Volunteer, if nothing else it will let you know if you have what it takes to be a firefighter, OR if it is what you even want to do.

[BoxAlarm187]

If you're asking if you can volunteer with the same department you want to work for one day, yes, we have a lot of people in this area that do that as a way of getting your foot in the door.

[BSFD140]

That is what I did - I started off as a volunteer with my department, and am now going full time at the end of the month. The last three people hired on were originally volunteers.

I would think it would be encouraged to volunteer while in the process because that way they could get to know you better.

[tree68]

Do departments allow you to volunteer at their stations while in the hiring process or should I just wait it out and just keep working out?

Depends on the department. If you're talking a combination department, it's a possibility, but it depends entirely on how they bring in their volunteers. It can't hurt to try.

A fully career department obviously doesn't have any volunteers, so you'll need to find another department to volunteer with.

[rm1524]

Everyone of our career people have been a volunteer somewhere. About 90% have been volunteers for us. Over the years we have had several of our volunteers become paid elsewhere as well.

[backsteprescue123]

At my vollie house, after a few years I was offered a part time job. Get the experience and enjoy the time!