The Volunteer Reserve
Division of the Santa Clara Fire Department serves as a supplemental resource
to the Fire Department’s suppression division.
All volunteer firefighters are put through a reserve fire academy and
trained in standard rescue and firefighting procedures.
Basic training provided
includes instruction in Self Contained Breathing Aparatus (SCBA) operation,
ventilation procedures, common hose operations, hoisting and lifting procedures,
salvage procedures, and care and maintenance of fire department equipment. In addition, volunteer firefighters are
expected to be certified in basic first aid and CPR.
After successful completion
of the fire academy and a mandatory probation period, volunteer firefighters
candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency in all required skills by
passing a ‘certification’ exam.
‘Certified’ volunteer firefighters are then eligible to work as the
fourth person (second firefighter position) on any department engine or truck
company. In this capacity the
volunteer firefighter responds with the apparatus to any emergency call
assigned to the unit.
Volunteer firefighters are
also provided with radio pagers, which issue an alert ring-down for all fire dispatches
in the city. Any off duty volunteer
firefighter may respond individually to provide additional assistance at these
calls. Only ‘certified’ volunteer
firefighters are however allowed to enter fire structures. Probationary volunteer firefighters will
therefore typically be assigned to support operations on the fire ground.
All volunteer firefighters
are expected to maintain proficiency in firefighting skills by attending a
minimum average of 2 regularly scheduled training drills per month. Volunteer firefighters are required to
demonstrate proficiency in all required firefighting skills by passing an
annual certification exam involving both written and practical evolutions.
Serving as a volunteer
reserve firefighter is an excellent way to make a tangible contribution to your
community. Reservists experience life
in the fire service first hand and are rewarded with memories and friendship
that last a lifetime. Santa Clara Fire
Department is one of the most recognized departments in the state if not the
country! Persons interested in a career
in the fire service are therefore also provided with an excellent introduction
to the firefighting community and given the opportunity to gain invaluable
firefighting experience.
As the title suggests,
volunteer firefighters are not financially compensated for their services. Each volunteer company is however provided
with funding for company meetings and discretionary equipment for its members. Volunteer firefighters are also provided
with all required firefighting equipment.