Qualifications and Applying for the Program
Qualifications for applying to be a Resident Volunteer Firefighter with the Salisbury Fire Department are as follows.
- Must be 18 years old or be 18 years old prior to the start of volunteer service and residency.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Have a valid driver’s license recognized in the State of North Carolina.
- Commitment to obtain (maintain) certifications in various emergency service disciplines. (EMT, Firefighter, Inspector, etc.)
Applications will be reviewed by a Fire Department panel consisting of members of the Salisbury Fire Department and/or the City Human Resources Department.
Candidates will complete and satisfactorily pass the following to proceed in the application process:
- Firefighter physical agility test (FEAT)
- Oral interview
- Background check
- Physical exams (Firefighter Specific for SCBA, EMT, and other requirements)
- Pre-Service Drug Screening
Candidates who complete the process successfully will be available for selection into the program. Space is limited. It is possible that not all candidates who successfully pass the above processes will be assigned to the program.
To apply for this program contact Training Captain, Battalion Chief Nick Martin
Benefits to being a Resident Volunteer Firefighter
Firefighters selected to the program and who remain in good standing with the Salisbury Fire Department will receive the following benefits:
- Free semi-private bunk room and utilities at a SFD facility, as assigned by the department.
- Free access to high-speed internet connections and use of desk top computers.
- Access to physical fitness equipment, kitchen, and bathroom/laundry facilities.
- State Volunteer Firefighter benefits including Workers Compensation.
- Adequate storage and locker space.
- Life-long experiences in the emergency services.
- Free annual physical.
- Free firefighting and emergency medical training.
- Issued work uniforms and personal protective equipment.
- Contribute to the betterment of the community that you live in.
- Job experience for future fire service, emergency service careers.
The Salisbury Fire Department Resident Volunteer Firefighter program is an opportunity to gain educational experience for its participants and to augment career fire department staffing.
The scope of the program is intended for volunteers to live in a Salisbury fire station free-of-charge while in turn they volunteer as a Firefighter or Medical Responder for the City of Salisbury. Resident Volunteers are assigned to various work units and companies to attend and experience activities and demonstrate services of a typical firefighter.
The intent of the Resident Firefighter Program is to provide experienced-based training for students and inexperienced firefighters who desire to increase their skills and knowledge of firefighting techniques and fire service tasks.
The Resident Volunteer Firefighter (RVF) is more than an observer (or ride-along). He/she will be expected to learn and participate in fire and emergency service delivery, public education and fire safety programming, fire code inspections, building and apparatus up-keep and other typical firefighter tasks.
The RVF is trained to state certification standards as a firefighter (NCF&RC), EMT (NCOEMS), Rescue Technician (NCF&RC), Fire Inspections (NCBCC) and other certifications commensurate with fire and rescue duties.
Typical RVF are students of local colleges. The SFD is strongly committed to the success of the student in his/her formal educational settings and will not conflict with scheduled classes and needed student activities time. SFD assignments will not conflict with college class commitments; however we do require that the RVF provide adequate/ ample service to the department and community.
The participants of the Resident Volunteer Firefighter Program may be eligible for a stipend that is intended to help offset minor expenses associated with participation in the program.