I never wanted to be a firefighter, not even as a kid.
Big, flashy fire trucks in parades were cool, but I didn’t have a single one in my Matchbox collection. In my room, toy cars couldn’t compete with toy planes (or Star Wars figures). Where other little boys dreamed of dousing buildings in flames, my childhood fantasies focused on dogfights, not fighting fires.
Years later, my senior class would vote me “Most likely to write a book,” not “Most likely to join the fire department.”
With our Spring Membership Drive in full swing, I thought I’d share some thoughts on what the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company means to somebody who joined on a whim.
When you think of all the attributes associated with firefighters, I fit about three of ten. Cross “handyman” off the list right away. In college, my idea of putting things together was: Fumble around until my lack of progress aggravated someone. At some point, my buddies would push me out of the way and finish it themselves. Don’t knock it – I had a lot of furniture assembled that way.
Nor had anyone in my family ever served in the Fire Service. So what inspired me to do this? It was either one too many episodes of “Rescue Me” or moving next door to a fire station. Those little “Volunteers Needed” signs are more powerful than you think.
So one Saturday, I took a few deep breaths and headed over to an Open House at Haddam Fire’s Station 1, a grueling 200 feet from my back door on a path my wife and I cut through the woods. I snuck past a dozen or so guys standing around in their turnout gear. My mission was to grab some information and get out of there. I slipped into the truck bays, grabbed a cookie, feigned interest in one of the trucks and worked my way over to the recruitment table.
I met with Membership Committee Chair John Kuzminski before gathering my packet of information and disappearing back into the woods.
That’s how it started. Nearly two years later, I’ve completed my Firefighter I and II classes, extrication training and a Group Crisis Intervention course – less ambitious than some, more than others. I even have spankin’ new gear with my name on my butt (which is how you know you’ve made it).
I guess the first thing you should know about being a firefighter is that it’s not easy. It’s tiring, inconvenient, scary, depressing, uplifting, thrilling, boring, confusing and deeply rewarding – but not easy. It also happens to be worth every lost weekend and missed hour of sleep.
If you’re on the fence about joining, you probably have some questions. I won’t be able to answer them all, but I’ll try to hit the major ones.
Q: Is everyone there a volunteer?
A: Yes. The Fire Company is completely made up of volunteers, available day and night, 365 days per year, to help their neighbors in need. We currently have about 60 members working out of three stations. The vast majority of firefighters in the United States – about 70 percent – are volunteers. But in other towns, Fire Departments have been forced to supplement volunteers with paid positions, which Haddam Fire has avoided because of ongoing recruitment to ensure proper coverage.
Q: Do you get paid?
A: Yes and no. We do not get a salary and we’re not paid-per-call. As volunteers, our payment is the satisfaction of a job well done, new friendships and the appreciation of our community. However, we do offer a pension plan and reimbursements for certain activities.
Q: What positions are available?
A: There are several to consider…
Firefighter
Training revolves around the core idea of preserving life and property in the Town of Haddam. Firefighters are trained to safely operate en route to and on the scene of an emergency. Firefighting tasks include combating, extinguishing and preventing fires of all types. Members also drive and operate fire apparatus, use power tools including the Jaws of Life and learn fireground tactics and safety techniques.
Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
The Fire Company holds the State designation as R1 Medical first responding agency for all medical emergencies in town. With about 20 trained and certified Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) living throughout town, response times are excellent. The HVFCo. works closely with the Haddam Volunteer Ambulance Service, ambulances from neighboring towns and Middlesex Hospital Paramedics to provide a complete emergency care system.
Fire Police
Members who can’t fulfill a Firefighter role are welcome to join the ranks of Fire Police, whose objective is to provide scene safety to Firefighters and First Responders working at a scene. Fire Police also manage traffic concerns away from emergency scenes and protect the public from entering an active scene.
Support Member
The Fire Company is always looking for help with various administrative, day-to-day operations. Non-firefighting roles include secretary, treasurer and historian, among others. There are also numerous committees that you can serve on.
Q: Who do you accept?
A: Firefighter candidates must be 18 or older, have a valid Connecticut driver's license and a satisfactory driving record, pass various background checks and take a physical exam. Haddam Fire welcomes residents from every walk of life. Prior experience in the Fire Service is NOT required.
Q: How does the application process work?
A: New members are brought in on a rolling basis, which means as soon as all application materials have been reviewed, the candidate is sworn in at the next monthly meeting. Click here to download and print an application and information packet, and find out what to do next.
Q: What’s involved in Firefighter I?
A: As the initial entry program for firefighting personnel, FFI introduces firefighting concepts, practices and techniques necessary for success within the Fire Service. It’s a 14-week program with about 200 hours of classroom and practical time. Classes generally consist of one evening class during the week and classes on every other weekend, excluding holidays.
Q: What kind of equipment will I get?
A: Firefighter candidates receive a pager, binder of Company By-Laws and Personal Protective Equipment including bunker pants, coat, hood, boots, firefighting gloves, goggles and a helmet. Dress uniforms are also provided for those who are interested.
Q: How often are meetings and drills?
A: Members meet each Monday, and train on average three nights per month. The first Monday of the month is our business meeting.
Q: How many calls do I need to go to?
A: Members must make a minimum 10 percent of calls in a given year. There are approximately 600 calls for emergency service per year, so figure on 60 a year, or about one a week. Of course, there’s no way to predict call volume – sometimes a week goes by without a call; sometimes we get 6 calls in a day. Members should also try to exceed the minimum, bearing in mind that we learn during a call, so the more calls we attend, the better firefighters we’ll be. Alternately, you can sign up for a "Duty Night" during the week and make yourself available as part of a response team.
Q: Are there other groups affiliated with the Fire Company?
A: The Fire Company Women’s Auxiliary and Haddam Junior Volunteer Fire Company are also accepting new members. The Auxiliary has been in service for 44 years. The Junior Fire Co. is comprised of 14- and 17-year-old cadets who learn alongside firefighters and perform support roles.
Q: Sounds like a lot of work. Where's the fun?
A: The Fire Company is like an extended family, and once the serious business of a call is over, there's a lot of joking around back at the firehouse. We also host annual events like our Company Banquet at the Riverhouse, Children's Christmas Party where Santa rides in on a fire truck and fun events like our "Old Timers' Night" which honors former members.
One of the first questions people ask, other than “Why are your fire trucks yellow? (nobody knows), is about the lack of compensation. They’re amazed that a group like ours is willing to train and work so hard for free.
The thing you quickly discover is that there’s no way to quantify this experience. Being part of my local fire department has made me a better person and helped me ride out the bumps in my personal life. When you see truly bad things happen to other people, it puts your personal definition of “bad” in perspective. It also introduced me to some of the finest people I’ve ever met. How can you put a value on that?
It’s hard, without a doubt. Firefighter I is a bear of a class. I haven’t taken the EMT course yet but I’ve heard it’s just as challenging. But after all the initial classes and you’ve been it for awhile, an “a-ha” moment will come out of nowhere and remind you why you signed up in the first place.
I’ve had several: The appreciative smile of a woman who needed comfort while her mom was treated after a fall, the big eyes of a child as I propped them up in the driver’s seat of a fire truck, the man who yelled “Thank you for your service!” during a parade and the thrill of riding in the back of an Engine on the way to a call.
You will see things you wish you hadn’t, and you will see things that renew your faith in humanity. That’s the Fire Service for you … tiring, inconvenient, scary, depressing, uplifting, thrilling, boring, confusing and completely worth it.
Sometimes, there’s even pizza.
Do You Have What It Takes? Find out more about the activities of the HVFCo. and ways you can get involved at www.HaddamFire.com, or connect with us on Facebook.
