Are you currently thinking about being a volunteer firefighter and need clarification about whether you may get a little monetary compensation? Getting paid as volunteer firefighters is possible, though it is more complicated.
Volunteer firefighters stop and put out fires and administer the first tool within communities with fire outbreaks.
Nowadays, volunteers make up fifty-five% of all active firefighters, which makes it a fantastic first stage on the ladder to being a paid firefighter.
Read to discover what it takes to fill up this essential function and learn how to create a difference now.
Table of contents
Who is a Volunteer Firefighter?
A volunteer firefighter introduces first aid treatment to victims of an inferno or other types of fire emergencies.
What are the Duties of a Volunteer Firefighter?
Apart from ensuring a fire outbreak is put off, there is a long list of what volunteer firefighter does.
Some of the duties include;
- Search and Rescue: When a group of persons goes missing, a volunteer firefighter goes in the group of others to make a search and rescue effort. Places include water bodies, hilly areas, etc.
- Fire Emergencies: This volunteer responds swiftly to infernos just as paid firefighters would. He connects a hose to the hydrant, sets up ladders, and sprays fire to prevent more spread.
- Emergency medical services: A volunteer firefighter undergoes training on how to get involved in administering CPR to fire victims.
- Maintenance: When there is no fire emergency, a volunteer firefighter works to repair the equipment used to take care of previous outbreaks.
- Sedentary Work: After responding to an emergency, a volunteer firefighter creates an official report and then files it for future purposes.
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What are the Benefits of Becoming a Volunteer Firefighter?
Apart from the fact that you do not receive payment as a volunteer, many other perks come with this position.
We’ll consider some.
Free Training Sessions
You may not have had access to a safety class as a volunteer. But, by doing this, you get all the training you need to do well as a volunteer firefighter.
Most times, the department where you work foots the bills on EMT, CPR, and other life-saving training that are key to your development.
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A Work Family
Those working with you in dangerous times can be more than work colleagues. You can call them family!
Your work as a volunteer firefighter bonds everyone together, and you will likely go through some personal changes alongside others.
Tax Incentives
In some States like South Carolina, volunteer firefighters receive tax credits that help reduce their taxes.
However, you must find out what the incentive is like in your state as it varies.
Access to Retirement Programs
According to the years you spend in service, most departments will give you access to retirement benefits.
You may have worked for up to 10 years or even more as a volunteer firefighter to gain access.
Scholarships and Tuition Reimbursement
As a volunteer firefighter, you may be lucky to work with departments that acknowledge the importance of higher education and then provide schemes to help volunteers as you go through the process.
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Do Volunteer Firefighters Get Pay?
No, volunteer firefighters are not paid, as it is a general rule.
The Fair Labor Standards Act states that anyone who earns an hourly wage must be paid minimum wage, and if they work beyond a specific timeframe, they must be paid an overtime rate.
So, the FLSA only recognizes those paid hourly as employees rather than volunteers.
However, a volunteer can still be paid a stipend to cover gas expenses.
You may also want to read: What Is Unearned Revenue? How Does It Work?
Should Volunteer Firefighters Get Paid?
While there is an ongoing debate on whether volunteer firefighters should be paid, others believe they should stay happy, knowing it’s their way of giving back to society.
On the flip side, some people also believe that those who have stayed much longer volunteering should get some form of compensation.
Here’s our take; knowing what you’re going in for is expedient before even signing up for it.
This is so you don’t get disappointed after so much expectancy. Because, no matter how we twist it, volunteering for a job means no payment while you’re at it.
How Does a Volunteer Firefighter Foot his Bills?
One can’t help but wonder how a volunteer firefighter keeps up with the bills. So here’s the thing; they all have their respective professions.
Most volunteers are part-time workers, as they can come from anywhere. The zeal to give back to society spurs them to serve effortlessly.
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Final Thoughts
You definitely should not count on making a bank account on the job of a volunteer firefighter – you will neither get a salary nor an hourly wage.
If your division provides for it, you may get a token, which won’t reflect your performance on the task.
Nonetheless, there are certain benefits you may be due for primarily as a volunteer firefighter, which could be an extremely enjoyable extra in your senior years.
Most of all, being a volunteer firefighter earns you much respect.
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