Bridge Creek

Fire Department

Recruitment Center

"Why should I volunteer?"

The personal rewards and satisfaction received from the fire and rescue volunteer service are often beyond description. There is a sense of accomplishment after controlling a building fire, joy and elation when a child is born, compassion for accident victims, and fulfillment in teaching fire safety. However, this business is not for everyone. In addition to a desire to help people, you also need courage, dedication, assertiveness, and a willingness to face new challenges. Often, our members are called on to perform hot, sweaty, dirty, strenuous work, sometimes in uncertain and hazardous environments.

Making a commitment to serve as a volunteer firefighter is a serious decision and involves a profound commitment. Your decision to join us should not be made quickly. This portion of our web site will provide the information needed to help you make that decision. Once you understand what is involved, we hope you will find that you are able to make the commitment we need to contribute to the safety of the community and its citizens. You will find that participation as a volunteer member of our service will bring personal rewards and satisfaction, raise self-esteem, and give you a tremendous sense of accomplishment for a job well done.

Job Description – Volunteer Firefighter

As a member of the Bridge Creek Fire Protection District, the volunteer firefighter is charged with the responsibilities of responding to emergency and non-emergency alarm calls, protecting lives and property through fire education, prevention and suppression of fires. Volunteer firefighters are also expected to perform basic first aid until advanced life support unit arrives. The volunteer firefighter participates in formal and informal training and maintenance activities necessary to achieve the appropriate preparedness level to safely respond to and operate at fire, rescue, disaster emergency calls, and other emergency situations while protecting life and property and supporting mitigation activities.

Volunteer Position Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
  1. Be familiar with all BCFD rules, regulations, policies and operating guidelines applicable to the efficient operation of the Department.
  2. Attend and participate in BCFD meetings and training sessions; meeting requirements to remain knowledgeable of BCFD operations and to promote job performance.
  3. Appropriately wear all assigned protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus for its intended purpose. Completes regular checks of zippers, snaps, hooks, worn or torn material, and Velcro strips. Report any irregularities or broken items immediately for repair and/or replacement to assigned officer.
  4. Respond to emergency and non-emergency alarm calls to protect lives and property through the prevention and the extinguishments of fires.
  5. Perform emergency medical care when needed up to level of training.
  6. Respond to emergency and non-emergency alarm calls and properly perform all basic firefighting functions according to BCFD training standards which may include, but not limited to the following:
    • Select and properly operate the use of fire service tools and equipment
    • Raising and lowering of ladders; Climbing up and down ladders
    • Use extinguishers
    • Lay and connect fire hose
    • Ventilate burning structures
    • Maneuver and direct water streams
    • Perform search and rescue operations
    • Work to complete salvage and overhaul operations
  7. Assist in maintaining apparatus, equipment, and tools in a clean and serviceable condition.
  8. Assist, as necessary, in maintaining the cleanliness and safety of the fire station assigned to.
  9. Monitors and communicates effectively and coherently over radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications; exchanges information with Emergency Communication Center dispatchers and other BCFD personnel.
  10. Implement emergency techniques when trapped or disoriented.
  11. Incorporate continuous quality improvement principles in daily activities.
  12. Maintain good interpersonal relationships with all members of BCFD and citizens we serve.
  13. Participate in non-emergency activities as required and requested.
  14. Conduct oneself in a mature, professional, and courteous manner at all times, both on and off duty.
  15. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Bridge Creek Fire Protection District’s volunteer department each new member must meet these following minimum qualifications:
    1. Be at least 18 years of age.
    2. Successfully complete the application process to include:
      a.  Application form
      b. Criminal Background check
      c. Driving record check
      d. Criminal History Record check
      e. Panel interview
    3. Possess a valid Oklahoma Drivers License and excellent driving record.
    4. High School Diploma or GED.
    5. Physically and mentally fit to meet the demands of the position.
    6. Possess a good moral character.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  1. Knowledge of street and fire protection systems within the BCFD first-due response area.
  2. Knowledge of basic first aid, including annual American Red Cross CPR and Automatic External Defibrillation (AED) certification.
  3. Ability to learn and demonstrate a wide variety of firefighting and related duties and methods.
  4. Ability to work well with others and work as a team member under the supervision of an officer or senior firefighter.
  5. Ability to establish rapport and interact professionally, sensitively, and patiently with individuals of all ages and abilities.
  6. Ability to exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
  7. Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions and orders in the English language.
  8. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in written correspondence.
  9. Ability to work and remain calm under stressful situations.
  10. Ability to read a variety of informational and technical documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.
  11. Ability to write job-related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.
  12. Ability to achieve and maintain adequate level of fitness to perform essential functions of the job.

Working Conditions

Significant exposure to undesirable working conditions such as outside weather, fumes, airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, high and precarious places, wetness, humidity, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, extreme heat (non-weather), working at night, poor ventilation, self-contained breathing apparatus, working while wearing heavy equipment, extreme cold (non-weather), work with explosives, risk of radiation, risk of blood borne/airborne pathogens, and varying noise levels.

Physical Activities

Essential functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for significant physical activity while wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus such as: sitting, standing, walking, running, kneeling, crouching/stooping/squatting, crawling, twisting upper and lower body, climbing, balancing, pushing, pulling, swimming; driving a motor vehicle at high rates of speed; operating heavy equipment; regularly lifting and or maneuvering up to 50 pounds and occasionally lifting and maneuvering up to and over 175 pounds.