Volunteer Firefighter

Information and Application

Ninety five percent (95%) of the District service area consists of single and multi-family residences while the remaining five percent (5%) consists of mercantile businesses and various other commercial enterprises.

The District operates out of a single station with one pumper/tanker, two rescue/pumpers, and a technical rescue trailer. Current staffing level is twenty-nine suppression members and support members.

The District is a political subdivision of the State of Missouri and is governed by three Directors elected by the voters of the District.

The Shady Valley Fire District provides services that include fire suppression, rescue services, hazardous materials response, emergency medical services and community services.

HOW WILL I BE TRAINED?

As a volunteer firefighter with the Shady Valley Fire District, you will be a team member. As a recruit firefighter you will undergo an initial 40 hours of recruit training prior to responding to any alarms. The training will be a mixture of lecture, practical instruction, and self-study.

You will be assigned to one of three Shifts. For the first six months of your twelve-month probation you will be assigned a preceptor (veteran firefighter) to help you become familiar with the Districts policies and procedures and to monitor your performance.

The last six months of your probation will be on your own with no preceptor, however, evaluations will be done every three months to determine your progress.

Within the twelve-month probationary period the probationary fire fighter will complete Fire Fighter I and Basic Life Support courses.

Is this the end of your training?

No. In fact, serving as a firefighter for the Shady Valley Fire Protection

District means life-long, continuing education to stay abreast of the latest equipment and emergency procedures.

HOW MUCH OF MY TIME IS REQUIRED?

Fire fighting takes a tremendous commitment!

After the initial 40 hours of recruit training our volunteer’s average approximately 50 to 80 hours per month between trainings, duty time, and running alarms.

That sounds like a lot, and it is if you have a family and demanding full time employment.

Scheduled training nights are Tuesday evenings with some Saturday sessions. The shift rotation averages 10 days per month in which we ask that our members commit to a minimum of 5 of those days. Alarms are anytime. We can’t schedule them.

HOW DO I APPLY?

If you are at least eighteen years of age and have a valid Missouri drivers license and dependable transportation, fill out the enclosed application and return it to the Station with all requested information as described on page 1 of the application.

Your application will be reviewed and if you are qualified, you will be asked to complete an interview process. You will participate in a practical exercise and meet with a panel of members comprised of the command staff of the District, and any further questions you have may be answered at that time.