Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment Information Package

Position Details

• Location: Malahide
• Department: Fire Services
• Employment Type: Casual
• Work Location: On-Site
• Category: Community Services
• Subcategory: Recreation & Programs
• Job Level: Frontline / Operations

Thank you for considering service to your community as a volunteer firefighter. The following information may assist you in assessing your eligibility, preparing for the recruitment process and deciding to apply for a Volunteer Firefighter position. Participation as a volunteer member of the Fire Service will bring personal rewards, satisfaction, raise self-esteem and provide a tremendous sense of accomplishment from personal achievements.

Your involvement will also provide your community with a valuable service that has potential to touch families in the Township and beyond. The public recognizes firefighters as the most trusted individuals of all professions. Making a commitment to serve as a volunteer firefighter is a serious decision, we ask that you take the time to read this package to get the facts of what is involved in being a member of the Malahide Fire Service.

The commitment to be a firefighter will impact your family and your full-time employer from time to time. We recommend you discuss your interest in becoming a firefighter with your spouse/partner, family and employer. This package contains information on the organization of the Malahide Fire Services, we hope you will find you are able to make the commitment to serve your community. The service provided by Volunteer Firefighters is truly valuable to the citizens of the Township and we hope you are able to contribute to our public safety.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Township of Malahide Fire Service at 519-773-5344 Ext. 241.

The Nature Of Our Business

Firefighting is one of the most diverse and challenging professions known today. It is this diversity that inspires most men and women to enter the service, both as volunteers and career employees. Imagine having to train to prepare yourself to cope with situations, which range from structure fires, childbirth, hazardous chemical spills, heart attacks and almost any imaginable emergency situation in between.

The diversity coupled with the fact that your skills may be needed at any time of day, seven days a week, in any kind of weather, and very often under potentially stressful and emotional circumstances makes our contribution to our profession very personally rewarding.

Two basic principles of public fire safety are first to prevent fire or emergencies from occurring. This is done through fire prevention inspections, fire safety education, and code enforcement programs. Secondly, we are here to prepare ourselves to control fire or emergencies should prevention not prevail. This is accomplished through education, training, pre-incident planning, more training, state of the art equipment and even more training.

Firefighting may not be for everyone. A firefighter needs more than just a desire to help people. Firefighters need courage and dedication, assertiveness, and a willingness to learn new skills and face new challenges. The fire service calls on its members to perform hot, sweaty, dirty, strenuous work, often in uncertain and hazardous environments.

In addition, there is exposure to very traumatic circumstances where the fragile balance of life has been determined by circumstances that have inflicted great harm upon a person you may or may not know. Firefighters see the worst of what life can deal to a person. The personal rewards and satisfaction received from being a Volunteer Firefighter are often beyond description. There is a sense of accomplishment after controlling a building fire, compassion for accident victims, and fulfillment in teaching fire safety.

The bottom line in our business is measured by the prevention and reduction of loss of life, pain and suffering, and property damage that we have in our service. The Fire Service is here and prepared for one reason and that is to provide service to the residents of our community.

Organization

A typical Fire Department is comprised of a variety of divisions and functions. Firefighters are often required to fulfill responsibilities from a number of divisions and functions.

• Division of Administration - Budget, reports, records, planning and policy development
• Division of Apparatus, Equipment and Communications - Purchase and maintenance of apparatus, equipment and communication services
• Division of Fire Suppression or Operations - Investigate fire cause; Prevent, control and extinguishment of fires; Perform rescue and salvage operations; Respond and assist at such emergencies as may be required
• Division of Fire Prevention - Conduct inspections; Public education functions and programs; Enforce prevention laws
• Division of Training - Administer training programs (e.g. Ontario Firefighter Curriculum, specialty rescues, tiered medical response); Prepare and conduct examinations of members

Malahide Fire Services Organizational Structure

The Malahide Fire Services consists of a maximum of 70 Volunteer Firefighters operating from three (3) stations:

• Station #3 – Springfield
• Station #4 – Lyons
• Station #5 – South Station

The Department is led by a full time Fire Chief who is responsible for the overall operation of the Malahide Fire Services. Each station is comprised of a District Chief, District Deputy Chief, Captains and volunteer firefighters.

The Department also has a Chief Fire Prevention Officer responsible for coordinating fire prevention and public education activities and a Chief Training Officer who establishes and organizes the annual training programs.

The Department has established the following Committees to assist in identifying the needs of the department and determining appropriate plans for moving the department forward.

• Senior Officers (Fire Chief, District Chiefs, District Deputy Chiefs)
• Fire Prevention (public education and training)