2022 ANNUAL REPORT-Final

64

VOLUNTEER FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES

Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services

The Division of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services (DVFRS) works closely with twenty-five volunteer fire and rescue corporations, Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, Division of Fire and Rescue Services and Frederick County Government to provide support services to our many operational and administrative volunteer members. The DVFRS consists of four full time employees, Director, Assistant Chief, Administrative Coordinator and Volunteer Recruiter who work on initiatives in support of these administrative and operational volunteers. Frederick County’s fire and rescue service is a combination system comprised of both career and volunteer personnel. DVFRS recognizes the need for both career and volunteer personnel in order to maintain the high level of quality service expected in Frederick County. The number of requests for service continues to rise, and without the dedication of both career and volunteer personnel, the level of service would diminish to an unacceptable level. Nearly half of the 2000 individuals that are members of the volunteer fire and rescue companies throughout Frederick County are active in some capacity. Approximately 500 volunteers are operationally functional to respond to fire, rescue, and EMS incidents. Approximately another 600 members work behind the scenes, raising money, doing administrative functions, and generally providing services needed to maintain a small business and provide funds to purchase apparatus and buildings. The remaining individuals are social members or long- standing members no longer in an active status. Training is essential; Fire, Rescue, Hazardous Materials, and Emergency Medical Services, and on-going compliance training is held throughout the county at individual fire and rescue stations. Countless training hours are accumulated through classes conducted by the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute and DFRS Training Division. Many members give up their personal time and earned vacation leave to maintain and upgrade their skills. Doing so demonstrates their true dedication to helping people in need, which is what volunteering is all about. This year, the High School Cadet Training Program has worked closely with Frederick County Public Schools providing High School students with a Work–Based Learning Internship Program. Successful completion of this program can give students preference points toward being hired as a career firefighter with Frederick County Fire/Rescue if they choose that career path. This Monday through Friday daytime training opportunity is open to all volunteers not just High School students. Allowing the additional volunteers in the classes has served us well in providing training to many volunteers that have joined us in the program. This program offers, Fire Department Basic Orientation, CPR, Protective Equipment/SCBA, Hazardous Materials Operations, Emergency Medical Responder and Rescue Technician Courses. Upon graduation of the program, these volunteer members will have met both state and national certifications and provide emergency services in their community.