Volunteering in the Fire Service
The earliest recorded history we have of firefighting is in 5 A.D in Rome when brigades were dispatched to structure fires and then upon arrival would bargain a price for putting it out before completing any action. There were many unscrupulous brigade commanders who often let the structures burn to the ground if their ransom for service was not paid.
In 1607 we have some of our country’s first recorded history of structure fires being rampant with misuse of guns and fire. In Jamestown, VA. which was under the command of Captain James Smith is quoted as, “I begin to think that it is safer for me to dwell in the wild Indian country than in this stockade, where fools accidentally discharge their muskets and others burn down their homes at night.”
But it is Benjamin Franklin, who is considered the founding father of firefighting in the United States. One of Benjamin Franklin’s many accomplishments was cofounding the first volunteer fire department of Philadelphia in December of 1736. With new standards for buckets, hooks, and ladders volunteer fire services became more formalized.
Most if not all of the new country’s fire protection was entirely volunteer for more than 100 years. It was not until 1853 that the first entirely paid fire service was created in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Fast forward 164 years and 70 percent of our nation’s fire protection is still fulfilled by volunteers. 70%.
And the standards keep getting tougher. Just a couple decades ago you could show up at the firehouse, join in the training, and start riding the engines towards serving your community. Now as safety and liability are some of the top priorities, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets very strict standards for qualification, classification, training, and continuing training for the fire service; regardless of whether you are a volunteer or career firefighter.
In the state of Georgia, a very basic 95-hour class is the minimum to serve as a volunteer firefighter. To earn a Certified Firefighter classification one must complete an additional 345 hours. To add value to his/her community one can go on to complete a HazMat Technician which is another 120 hours of instruction. There are over 400 more hours of instruction to become more qualified to serve one’s community.
Our Jasper County has many of these highly qualified individuals right here protecting you and me. They work full-time jobs and then spend what little free time they have to come to weekly training at the station. They respond morning, noon, and night to each call that comes in for help.
Jasper County could not have the fire and emergency services protection without them. Having started as a volunteer myself more than 15 years ago I can tell you first hand that we do it because we truly love being the resourceful help in someone else’s time of trial. We have a phrase that we “train like we play.” We train hard so that when the time comes to act, we can do it without fail.
We’re always in need of volunteers here in Jasper County. Yes, we need YOU! Everyone can play a role. Not everyone needs to go into a structure fire, but there are needs for you to help your fire department. Will you consider it? Come be a part of a great adventure! Stay safe Jasper!
