I.         As the Fire Service becomes more complex and emergency activity requirements become more demanding, minimum training and proficiency levels require a greater commitment on the part of active fire suppression personnel.  With those factors in mind, the Diamond Springs - El Dorado Fire Protection District adopts the following standards for active status as a Volunteer Firefighter. 

II.        General Requirements

A.        Volunteers must reside or work within District boundaries. Individuals who do not meet these criteria may be considered at the discretion of the Fire Chief.

B.        Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

C.        Volunteers must possess a valid California driver’s license and minimum level of vehicle insurance.

D.        Support Staff must submit to back ground investigation at the discretion of the District.

E.        Volunteers must meet the requirements of the job description for their specific position.

III.      Physical Requirements

A.        Volunteer Firefighters shall be in sufficient physical condition, free of impairments that would prevent them from completing tasks essential to the physical job analysis and performance.

B.        Volunteer Firefighters must pass a respiratory capacity test as required by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal OSHA).

C.        Volunteer Firefighters will be required to show an ability to physically perform activities that may be required at the scene of an emergency.

IV.      Minimum Training Standards

A.        Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of 50 hours of documented training each calendar year. Training may be fire, rescue and/or EMS related including those specific trainings required by District policy, California state law or other governing agency.   

B.        Volunteer Firefighters hired into this class after 06/01/2010 must complete 24 hours of ride a long time on a staffed DSP engine or medic unit every 2 months.  At least 12 hours of these must be during daylight hours.  Volunteer Firefighters who are career firefighters at other agencies may have this requirement altered or waived at the discretion of the District Training Officer.

V.        Emergency Response

A.        Volunteer Firefighters shall have a minimum of 25 documented responses per year.  This includes station coverage responses.  Responses shall be documented in the District’s response data management system.

B.        All personnel shall obey the instructions and orders of Fire Officers at all times while on duty or operating at incident scenes.

C.        All personnel shall obey all traffic laws when responding to incidents in their private vehicles. Personnel in private vehicles are not to follow emergency vehicles responding with red lights and siren.

D.        Only qualified personnel shall drive and operate District apparatus as outlined in Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) #404.

E.        All personnel shall wear the approved protective clothing as outlined in SOP #301 when operating at incidents.

F.        All personnel shall act professionally when operating at incidents or representing the District.

G.        Personnel will remain at their assigned stations until all apparatus are back in service and cleaned, or they are relieved by an officer.

H.        Any injuries or accidents will be reported to an officer immediately.  

VI.      Miscellaneous

A.        All personnel are required to take proper care of all issued equipment. All items of equipment must be returned to the District upon separation from service as an active firefighter.

B.        All personnel shall read, understand and comply with District rules, regulations, and standard operating procedures