Expectations of HVFD Members

Although no previous experience or training is required, you need more than just a desire to help people. You also need courage and dedication, assertiveness, and a willingness to learn new skills and face new challenges. Our service is one that calls on its members to perform hot, sweaty, dirty, strenuous work, often in uncertain and hazardous environments.

Our volunteers need to be team players, respecting each other’s role and contributions. You need to be able to work on-call and to deal with occasional interruptions to your lifestyle, dropping what you’re doing at the ‘sound of the bell’ to respond to the emergency needs of your fellow citizens.

A new recruit can expect to spend between 5-10 hours each week on fire company business the first six months. This entails meetings, training, emergency responses and other miscellaneous activities. Some weeks will be more and other weeks much less. The days of the week or times may vary depending on the level of activity.

We’ve listed a lot of the benefits you can expect from us, and in return there are certain objectives we expect you to meet:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY

• You must be at least 16 years of age to apply. A statement of parental or guardian consent must accompany an application from anyone under the age of 18 years. A parent must also attend the interview process.
• You must complete the HVFD Application, participate in a ride-along, schedule an interview with a recruitment committee member and, if approved, submit a Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department application, which includes fingerprints for background check.
• You must have a valid social security number.
• You must be physically, intellectually and emotionally capable of performing the duties according to your area of assignment.
• You must have no record of felony convictions.

KEY REQUIREMENTS OF HVFD MEMBERS

• New recruits must successfully pass a Prince George’s County background check and physical examination prior to being formally introduced as a potential member of the HVFD.
• New members will be considered on probation for a period of one year. Their probationary activities will be reviewed within thirty days following one (1) year of active service and the probationary member will be recommended for continued service or termination at that time.
• Removal from probationary status requires that the aforementioned requirements be fulfilled along with the probationary requirements of their membership classification.
• All members must attend 50% of all regular monthly business meetings (6 per year) held on the second Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m., and all special meetings and events unless excused. This includes annual events such as our Open House, Spring Clean Up Day and City of Hyattsville Parade.
• All personnel are responsible for assisting in the fund-raising efforts of the organization.
• A member must be at least 18 years old and have met all training requirements (if operational) and have been a junior or associate member for at least two (2) years to be a voting (Corporate) member of the Hyattsville VFD. Life Membership is awarded after ten (10) years of active membership, having met LOSAP (Length of Service Award Program) requirements.
• Fire/EMS members must complete either Firefighter I or EMT-B within 18 months of joining and both courses within 30 months (three years) of acceptance of membership.
• All Fire/EMS and EMS Only members are required to participate in our Duty Shift program, typically two weeknight shifts per month from 6-10p and one 24-hour weekend shift, either 5pm Friday to 5pm Saturday or 5pm Saturday to 5pm Sunday each month.
• EMS only members must complete EMT-B within 18 months of acceptance of membership.
• Failure to complete the minimum requirements can result in termination of membership.

FIRE/EMS MEMBERS

• New Firefighters must complete a 32-hour Prince George’s County Volunteer Recruit School course (designed to be an introduction to the system) and a 120-hour Maryland Fire &Rescue Institute (MFRI) or equivalent Firefighter 1 course and in-house training for each unit (engine company, ladder truck and rescue squad) before participating in any interior or significant fire and rescue operations.
• Probationary firefighters will not be allowed to attend any other courses prior to completion of the appropriate basic in-house training, CPR, ICS and Prince George’s County Volunteer Recruit School. Firefighter I or EMT-B (160+ hours) must be completed within 18 months of joining and both must be completed within 30 months of joining. Courses are typically offered at convenient locations in Prince George’s County and the region on weeknights and weekends. Intensive courses over 2-3 weeks may also be available during Summer months.
• New Firefighters must attend at least 12 regularly scheduled or special drills (Training) during the one-year probation period.
• Firefighters must attend at least 50% of regularly scheduled or special drills each year following successful completion of the probation period.
• Active Fire/Rescue members must respond to 40 fire & EMS calls per year (given our high call volume this is typically accomplished easily via our regularly scheduled weeknight and weekend duty shift programs).

EMS ONLY MEMBERS

• New EMS Personnel must complete a Maryland Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) course (160+hours) within 18 months of joining. Courses are typically offered at convenient locations in Prince George’s County and the region on weeknights and weekends. Intensive courses over 2-3 weeks may also be available during the Summer months.
• Active EMS Personnel must respond to at least 25 EMS calls per year.

ADMINISTRATIVE & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

• Administrative & Associate Members must actively serve on at least one (1) committee or hold an elected office at all times.
• Associate Members have the right to vote at meetings but may vote in the election of administrative officers only.
• Associate Members may run for and hold the office of Board of Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President or President.