The following is a brief list of questions that many of our potential recruits have asked in the past. If your question does not appear in the list below please feel free to contact us for further information.
What must I do to become a volunteer for the Roaring Fork Fire Rescue Authority?
Completing an application is the first step. Before we begin a recruitment academy, we will contact all the applicants and invite you to an informational meeting.
The mandatory criteria for becoming a recruit for the Roaring Fork Fire Rescue Authority are as follows:
• you must be at least 21 years of age;
• you must be a legal resident of the United States of America;
• you must have a valid driver’s license;
• you must have a high school diploma or a GED;
• you must successfully complete the screening process;
• you must complete the 40 hour Volunteer Academy
Preference is given to applicants residing within our district; however, we may consider applicants living out of district who meet the membership requirements and depending on the number of in-district applicants.
What experience do I need?
None. As a community orientated department we are prepared to train you to become a member of our team. We are interested in recruiting volunteers that exhibit the traits common to our business such as integrity and passion; “hire for personality, train for competence.”
If you are interested in a non-duty role in the department we welcome that as well. We can often use support in other roles within the department such as marketing and public relations.
Can I keep my full-time job?
Absolutely. Almost all of our volunteers have full-time jobs. Our full-time staff is committed to helping you get trained. Most of our department trainings and functions are evening events.
What level of commitment is required?
Without a doubt being a volunteer requires a large commitment from our volunteers and their families. To maintain good standing as a volunteer with RFFR, members must meet an annual points requirement. This includes the following criteria:
• 420 on-call hours
• 40 calls
• 6 monthly trainings
• 5 monthly business meetings
• 5 work details
Do I need to buy any equipment? How much will this endeavor cost me?
Being a volunteer shouldn’t cost you anything. We provide all the necessary safety equipment and clothing, radios and uniforms. The cost to you is better explained in terms of your time commitment and time away from your friends and family.
Will I need to respond from home for calls or do volunteers stay at the station?
Both. We have living quarters at our stations where volunteers are always welcomed, but our volunteers also respond from home.
What are the dangers of working as a volunteer firefighter/EMT?
Being a firefighter/EMT is a dangerous job. We take safety very seriously- in fact it is at the heart of everything we do. But, the job is inherently risky.
What training will I receive?
First, you will go through a 40 hour academy. You will learn how the Department operates, and get more comfortable as a volunteer. After graduating the academy, you can start running calls with the crew and work on gaining real life experience. Then, if you are interested, the fire department will train you to become a state certified Firefighter. We will also sponsor and pay for you to attend an EMT class at Colorado Mountain College. On an ongoing basis, we provide multiple trainings each month to help you keep current on your skills and become an expert with our equipment.
Which calls will a new recruit be allowed to go on?
The goal of the 40 hour entry level academy is to get you ready to respond on all the calls we go on. Initially this may mean being less involved or used as an assistant, but over time the on-the-job training will get you more and more involved.
How do the volunteers fit into the department?
We are staffed 24/7 with paid staff. Volunteers are encouraged to go on any call they possibly can.
What kinds of emergencies does the Roaring Fork Fire Rescue Authority respond to?
We respond to structure fires, wildland fires, EMS calls, rescues of all varieties, motor vehicle crashes, and provide assistance to our citizens in a number of other areas.
In 2023, the department responded to 2,682 emergency calls. The distribution of those calls was as follows:
- 62 Fire calls
- 1,201 EMS /Rescue calls
- 106 Service Call
- 87 Hazardous Conditions
- 456 Good Intent
- 761 False Alarm calls
- 3 Rupture / Explosions
- 2 Severe Weather
- 4 Other
“I really would like to be a full-time firefighter or EMT. Will this be helpful?”
We are committed to training you to the same standards as that of a career firefighter or EMT. Getting the right certifications and experience is very helpful when applying for career jobs. We do employ career firefighters, and we have hired from our volunteer ranks, but your training would help you anywhere you apply.