The Professional Volunteer Firefighter
This past September, three firefighters from the East Farmingdale Volunteer Fire Department, (EFFD) received medals of valor for heroic actions performed in the line of duty (East Farmingdale is located in the southern part of New York State, on Long Island). Last year, on two separate occasions, EFFD firefighters searched, found and removed unconscious civilians trapped inside burning structures. These heroic actions might not have occurred without a well-trained and dedicated supporting group of individuals working together as a team of professional volunteer firefighters. As I sat waiting for the ceremony to begin, I thought about the deep commitment of these young men serving their community. I also thought about the countless hours of training and dedication to the department that had provided them with the tools and skills necessary to perform the actions which led them to be on the stage that day.
At the conclusion of the ceremony I overheard an uninformed civilian inadvertently refer to firefighters in two separate categories, “professional” (paid) and “volunteer”, asking a firefighter who had come to watch the ceremony, which one they were. Disappointingly, this was not the first time I had heard someone mistakenly define a professional firefighter. Of course there is a difference between career and volunteer firefighters but there is no difference between a volunteer and a career firefighter when it comes to professionalism. Professionalism is not judged by a paycheck. Had I been asked the same question I would have replied, “Both, I am a professional volunteer.”
What makes a volunteer firefighter a professional? The remainder of this article will examine the characteristics and qualities that I believe distinguish a professional volunteer firefighter from the volunteer firefighter.
The professional volunteer firefighter begins their career with a desire to help their community. This new firefighter quickly begins their transformation into a professional volunteer by emulating those firefighters that have firm values and good character. Willing to learn from anybody willing to teach, the firefighter is thirsty for knowledge. But that is only the beginning… The professional volunteer firefighter must learn what I call ‘ADD’, or attitude, dedication, and determination.
Attitude is perhaps the greatest quality for any firefighter to have, but for a professional volunteer firefighter, this is an essential trait. The professional volunteer has the right attitude and is open to learning, regardless of how many years the firefighter has in the department or how much training has been acquired. This firefighter has a ‘can-do’ attitude and strives to accomplish assigned tasks safely and quickly for the benefit of the team.
Dedication. The professional volunteer firefighter is dedicated to his craft, the mission, his fellow firefighters and training. He has the capability to teach and learn at the same time while understanding that some of the best learning occurs when you least expect it. A dedicated volunteer firefighter understands the dangers and never forgets the lessons learned from those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The firefighter is dedicated to operating in a safe and composed manner that makes those working feel calm and achieve superior results.
To this firefighter, “never forget” is not just a slogan thrown around casually; it is a call to action, to remember those who have gone before, to honor their memories through training and dedication to their fellow firefighter and to the community they protect.
Determination. The professional firefighter is determined. Determined to succeed and excel. This firefighter continuously checks the tools on the rig, ensuring the tools are clean and knows how to use them, knowing their strengths, and perhaps more importantly, that he understands their limitations. The hose is always packed neatly. This firefighter is always ready for battle, determined to meet any challenge.
What makes for a ‘professional’ in your field? If you are not a volunteer firefighter, fire departments are always looking to ‘ADD’ professional volunteer firefighters to the team.
You’ll never hear the professional firefighter utter the words “I’m only a volunteer,”
as an excuse not to maintain training.
This article is dedicated to the many professional volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personal that make up the East Farmingdale Fire Department and professional volunteer firefighters everywhere.
Follow the East Farmingdale Volunteer Fire Department on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/eastfarmingdalevolunteerfirecompanyinc
Frank Leeb is a contributor to the Homeland Security (HS) Vortex which is a platform where insiders from the policy, law enforcement, fire service and emergency management fields converge to discuss issues related to Homeland Security.
