Question 1

Is firefighting safe?

Accepted Answer

As with many occupations, there are risks in what we do. But we train to work safe, work in teams, and watch out for each other at all times. Despite what you may see on TV or in movies, firefighting has evolved into a science, with “Life Safety” being our number one priority. We maintain an outstanding safety record through many programs such as mandatory recurrent OSHA and HazMat training, practice drills, and additional firefighter education courses.

Question 2

Do you really need more firefighters?

Accepted Answer

Yes we do. Like all volunteer fire departments, we need to increase our number of active firefighters. We are seeking men and women to train as today’s firefighters and become our next generation of line officers and chiefs.

Question 3

How many fire calls does Ghent answer in a year?

Accepted Answer

Ghent Volunteer Fire Company answers an average of 120 calls each year.

Question 4

Is there a minimum age requirement for firefighters?

Accepted Answer

Applicants must be a minimum age of 16 to join. Those under the age of 18 may become Junior Members with their parent or guardian’s written consent, and are restricted from operating any apparatus, using power equipment and interior firefighting. Junior Members are allowed to ride in the fire trucks and respond to fire calls so long as doing so does not interfere with school attendance or required school activities. We also limit Junior Member participation to 9:00pm on nights prior to a school day.

Question 5

Are there any required meetings that firefighters must attend?

Accepted Answer

We have a monthly business meeting (for members only) on the second Monday night of each month, at 7:30pm. Attending every business meeting or practice drill is not mandatory but a firefighter must attend at least 20% of each to maintain an active status.

Question 6

What are the drills?

Accepted Answer

We hold our monthly drill on the fourth Monday night of each month (except on holidays). Our practice drills include actual apparatus deployment and operations, simulated emergency rescues and equipment operations. These drills help to keep us up to date on the available resources and techniques. Many of our drills are internal exercises but we also drill with our neighboring departments to ensure an organized effort when the need arises.

Question 7

Would I have to pass a physical to become a firefighter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All active firefighters are required to have an annual OSHA physical. Physicals are scheduled and paid for by the company. Non-firefighting positions do not require the physical.

Question 8

Are Ghent firefighters required to live in Ghent?

Accepted Answer

Members must live or work within the Ghent fire district.

Question 9

Do firefighters drive their personal vehicles to the fire calls?

Accepted Answer

No. Firefighters are always required to respond to our station. There, they “suit up” in their firefighting gear and ride in our trucks to the incident. We do not permit firefighters to store their gear away from the firehouse, or carry their gear/respond to calls in their personal vehicles.

Question 10

Do Ghent firefighters only fight fires in the town of Ghent?

Accepted Answer

Our primary district is the immediate Ghent area but we are also part of the county’s mutual aid “Incident Management System”, therefore we respond to assist our neighboring departments whenever requested. For these mutual aid calls, you will still be required to respond to our station to don your gear and be transported to the incident in our trucks.

Question 11

Are new firefighters required to take any classes or training?

Accepted Answer

New firefighters are required to successfully complete a Basic Exterior Firefighting Operation (BEFO) course. This course is offered by the county several times during the year. Each class session is three hours long and meets in the evenings twice per week, for twenty-five classes. There is no charge for the course. Once this course is satisfactorily completed, a firefighter may opt for additional training in subjects such as Interior Firefighting, Rescue Operations and many others. Firefighters are not required to take these additional classes but are encouraged to do so.
 
In addition to completing the Basic Exterior Firefighting Operation course, new members will be trained on the General Operating Guidelines and departmental procedures. There is also a required annual OSHA (one day) training course and Hazardous Materials First Respondents Refresher course. On the fourth Monday of each month, we also hold our monthly drills in the evening. These drills are essential for new members.

Question 12

Are all firefighters required to fight interior fires?

Accepted Answer

No. We do have positions that do not require a firefighter to be “interior qualified”. There are other essential operations such as exterior firefighter, fireground support, traffic control and scene security to mention a few. We also have positions that are non-firefighting. We are always looking for help with administrative and social-fund raising events, and equipment/grounds maintenance. There is much to be done to keep a fire department running!

Question 13

Do all members have to march or participate in parades?

Accepted Answer

We march in four parades each year. The four events include Ghent’s Memorial Day Parade, Chatham’s Memorial Day Parade, the Chatham Fair (Columbia County Fair) Parade and the Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Convention Parade. As part of the proud tradition of the fire service, we encourage our members to participate in all of four. Ghent provides each active firefighting member with their parade uniform.

Question 14

If I become a firefighter, will I be required to drive the fire trucks?"

Accepted Answer

No, this is not a requirement to be a firefighter. Member who wish to drive the trucks are required to receive training and an endorsement by the Chief. If you choose to take on this responsibility, you must receive the training and endorsement for each truck, qualifying on one truck at a time.

Question 15

Do firefighters have to pay for their training or equipment?

Accepted Answer

Ghent Firefighters do not pay for any required equipment or training. We provide these items free of charge.

Question 16

What benefits are available to Ghent firefighters?

Accepted Answer

Ghent firefighters are covered by Worker's Compensation Insurance, disability, and life insurance.

Question 17

If a firefighter is injured on a call, who is responsible for the medical expenses?"

Accepted Answer

Firefighters who are injured on a call are covered by Ghent Volunteer Fire Company No.1’s insurance for medical expenses. If a firefighter is out of work because of a department related injury, they are covered by the disability and the Worker's Compensation Insurance.

Question 18

Are most calls during the day or night?

Accepted Answer

Our calls come in at all hours with no trend showing any certain time of day having more activity than others.

Question 19

If I join, will I be required to respond to every fire call?"

Accepted Answer

Although we expect our firefighters to respond to as many calls as possible, we do not require them to respond to every call. Members are required to respond to a minimum of 20% of fire calls, drills, and meetings to maintain an active firefighter status.

Question 20

Does every "fire call" have an actual fire?"

Accepted Answer

Any call may involve an actual fire of some type but we are also dispatched for auto accidents and extractions, fire alarm activations, downed power lines, assisting the medical first responders, and a variety of other hazard mitigations.

Question 21

How are firefighters notified when there is a fire call?

Accepted Answer

We will provide a (dedicated frequency) voice pager to every active firefighter.

Question 22

Are Ghent firefighters paid for their service?

Accepted Answer

All levels of membership and positions within Ghent Volunteer Fire Company are unpaid volunteers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is firefighting safe?

Do you really need more firefighters?

How many fire calls does Ghent answer in a year?

Is there a minimum age requirement for firefighters?

Are there any required meetings that firefighters must attend?

What are the drills?

Would I have to pass a physical to become a firefighter?

Are Ghent firefighters required to live in Ghent?

Do firefighters drive their personal vehicles to the fire calls?

Do Ghent firefighters only fight fires in the town of Ghent?

Are new firefighters required to take any classes or training?

Are all firefighters required to fight interior fires?

Do all members have to march or participate in parades?

If I become a firefighter, will I be required to drive the fire trucks?"

Do firefighters have to pay for their training or equipment?

What benefits are available to Ghent firefighters?

If a firefighter is injured on a call, who is responsible for the medical expenses?"

Are most calls during the day or night?

If I join, will I be required to respond to every fire call?"

Does every "fire call" have an actual fire?"

How are firefighters notified when there is a fire call?

Are Ghent firefighters paid for their service?

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the top

Ghent Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Inc.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is firefighting safe?

Do you really need more firefighters?

How many fire calls does Ghent answer in a year?

Is there a minimum age requirement for firefighters?

Are there any required meetings that firefighters must attend?

What are the drills?

Would I have to pass a physical to become a firefighter?

Are Ghent firefighters required to live in Ghent?

Do firefighters drive their personal vehicles to the fire calls?

Do Ghent firefighters only fight fires in the town of Ghent?

Are new firefighters required to take any classes or training?

Are all firefighters required to fight interior fires?

Do all members have to march or participate in parades?

If I become a firefighter, will I be required to drive the fire trucks?"

Do firefighters have to pay for their training or equipment?

What benefits are available to Ghent firefighters?

If a firefighter is injured on a call, who is responsible for the medical expenses?"

Are most calls during the day or night?

If I join, will I be required to respond to every fire call?"

Does every "fire call" have an actual fire?"

How are firefighters notified when there is a fire call?

Are Ghent firefighters paid for their service?

Back to the top

Ghent Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Inc.

MENU

Back to
the top