The HVFD participated in the statewide Fire/EMS Recruitment Day on Sunday, April 10th, hosting nearly 20 prospective recruits interested in volunteering with the department. About six more joined us for our regular monthly Meet & Greet recruitment event the following night.
Over the past four months, the HVFD has enjoyed its most successful recruitment period to date. We’ve welcomed 23 new members, including 16 already certified as EMTs and seven with existing fire/rescue training.
We currently have 14 members in EMT class or awaiting final testing, one member in Paramedic school and another nearing completion of the county’s Paramedic Internship program. Six members are in or have completed Firefighter I or II in recent months and at least five completing EVOC to begin driver’s training on our apparatus. We also expect at least six new bunkroom members to join us this Summer from across the country.
Since December 1, 2015, the HVFD has had 107 volunteers active operationally, administratively and in supporting roles — including the many new members in training or just starting to get involved. Operational members logged more than 16,000 staffing hours, an equivalent staffing value of over $800,000.
Of the 31 new operational members who joined us in 2015 — 16 have EMT and 9 of those have been turned over as Charge EMTs.
The HVFD has benefited significantly from our FEMA SAFER grant — which provides recruitment and retention funding. Now in our second grant, the department has retooled its R&R programs over the last five years.
In addition to funding recruitment marketing and administrative support, the grant also funds tuition reimbursement for higher education for our volunteers, new AD&D and Life insurance, incentive programs for progressing through the organization’s ranks, new computers for our study room and out of pocket travel reimbursement for attending training. Our R&R efforts are also supported by funding from the City of Hyattsville, Town of University Park, EMS billing and other county/state programs.
The department typically hosts at least one recruitment “Meet & Greet” every month — at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday, the same night as our company meeting. We also hold a Meet & Greet at least one weekend morning every other month.
Looking to join a progressive, dynamic department? Learn more in our Recruitment Center — be sure to download our Prospective Member Guide and complete our online intake form to start the process. We’re looking for both experienced and fresh recruits to our department.
Benefits to Joining the HVFD
- A Second Family & Lifelong Friendships — The firehouse is a family, we live, eat and work together. We share a common bond and being a volunteer with the HVFD goes well beyond just responding to calls.
- Give Back to Your Community — Your neighbors are here to help you — now you can do the same.
- Free Training — Whether you have tons of fire/ems experience or a rookie, we offer numerous basic to advanced fire, rescue, EMS & leadership courses through county, state and federal programs as well as our own.
- Experience and Flexible Opportunities — The HVFD has engine company, truck company, rescue squad, BLS & ALS emergency medical services and numerous support/administrative volunteer positions that can be a fit for just about anyone.
- Bunkroom Live-in Program — Experienced Firefighter/EMTs can apply for our long-standing Live-in program, which provides living space in exchange for responding to significantly higher volume of calls. That’s right — the firehouse is really home to typically 12-18 first responders.
- Progression Incentive Program — Numerous programs for apparel, equipment and more for training, going above and beyond, progressing through the ranks and more.
- Length of Service Award Program — A county-funded retirement program for volunteers, which recently doubled benefits
- State Tax Credit — Qualified, active Maryland residents enjoy a $4,000 annual tax credit for their volunteer service
- Tuition Reimbursement — From our SAFER grant and other county/state programs
- AD&D and Life Insurance
- Events — From public events like our Open House, City Parade, Santa Run and fire prevention activities to members only/member family events such as our annual member Holiday Party, joint Public Safety Awards Banquet with the City of Hyattsville Police, team-building activities and training — there’s no shortage of opportunity to share great experiences with your fellow volunteers to go along with the daily high volume of a diverse range of emergency responses — nearly 6,000 annually!
- … and so much more
Get Started: Visit our Recruitment Center
