What are the requirements to join your department?
To apply for membership, we ask that you not be a member of another fire & rescue department, due to conflicts of interest. All requirements for membership are contained on the application form. You must be 18 years of age or older, unless you apply for a Cadet membership (ages 16-18). You need to have a clean criminal history, and to drive our apparatus you must have a good driving record. Contact our Membership Committee if you have questions about our requirements for membership.
Can I serve in any other capacity besides as a Firefighter or EMT?
Yes, you may join as an Associate Member and help out with administrative, non-emergency tasks within the department. To join as an Associate Member you would still fill out the Operational & Associate Member Application. You may also join the Lake Jackson Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary by contacting the President of the Auxiliary or by submitting a completed Auxiliary Member Application. The Auxiliary supports the Department with fund raising, functions, and logistical support during major incidents.
How do I apply for membership, and how does it work?
When you apply for membership with our department, you will have to submit a completed Volunteer Membership Application Form (for which you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer - see the bottom of this page if you need the FREE download of Acrobat Reader) to the department's Membership Committee, along with a driving transcript. Once you submit the application, the Membership Committee will contact you to set up a meeting to ask a few questions about your interests with us, to introduce a few of our members to you and to answer any questions that you may have. At the next Business Meeting of the department, your application will be presented to the members and you will be voted in to a Probationary status.
What do I have to learn to be an Operational Member, and how much does it cost?
Once you are voted in to Probationary status, you will be required to become certified in either the Firefighter I or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course. All training is FREE! Your probationary status will last for a period of not less than 6 months, and may be extended until your certification course is finished. Also as a Probationary Member, you will be required to complete four small core courses: CPR for Healthcare Providers, Infection Control, Hazardous Materials Awareness, and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing orientation. Once the above courses are completed and you are certified as a firefighter or EMT, you will be eligible for Full-Voting Member status.
When are the classes I need as an Operational Member, and what course subjects are there?
Most courses you will take are offered at night, one or two nights a week, with an occassional weekend class. These course schedules are designed to fit the schedules of those members with regular day jobs. For members who work shiftwork, certain considerations may be made to accomodate the schedule. Throughout your time as a volunteer at Lake Jackson VFD, all training courses are free. All training offered to you is the same instruction as all volunteer members and career personnel in the Commonwealth of Virginia. There are many courses offered, both at the County's Training Academy in Nokesville or offered through private fire & rescue training companies, and can take you on many different paths in the volunteer fire & rescue service. You can concentrate in firefighting or basic EMS, become a fire & rescue service course instructor, become a paramedic, or specialize in fire & rescue service management.
How many nights does the typical Operational Member have to serve?
As a member with Lake Jackson VFD, you will be required to participate in one weeknight duty crew, from 7pm to 6am (dependant on work schedules), and one weekend duty crew every third weekend, from 8am-8am. The weeknight duty crews are the same night every week, and the weekend crews are the same day -either Saturday or Sunday - every third week. You will also be required to attend the monthly Company Business Meetings, which fall on the second Tuesday of each month. We try to work with those members who have conflicts with their work schedules.
For more information on the benefits and requirements of membership with the Lake Jackson VFD, please contact us or stop by the station. Our phone number is (703) 368-3233 and our e-mail address is Membership@ljvfd.com. Our members will be happy to answer any questions you may have about our department, or volunteering in general.
