Are you interested in becoming a Volunteer Firefighter with the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department? Here is what you can expect when you apply to the USCVFD:
Minimum Requirements:
- 16 years of age for Junior Firefighter
- 18 years of age for Active Firefighter
- Work permit (for those under 18)
- Valid Pennsylvania drivers license (for those 18 and older)
- Successfully pass a background check, to include child clearances
- Pass a physically agility test
- Pass a physical and drug test
Training: Once you become a member of the USCVFD you will join a prestigious organization that is dedicated to the protection of life and property in the Township of Upper St. Clair. You are provided with all the training, equipment and uniforms you need. During your probationary period which is up to two years, you will attend the fire academy, it is split into 5 different class sessions for a total of up to 198 hours. Upon completion of the fire academy, you will then test for your Firefighter 1 National Pro-Board certification.
Equipment: You will be issued bunker gear, a uniform, a pager and your own locker once you become a member.
Benefits: Let’s be honest, being a firefighter is inherently a dangerous profession, so we provide you with the following insurance:
Disability, Accident and Workers Compensation to assist you should you become injured in the line of duty.
Also offered to each eligible member is a Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP), which is similar to a retirement program but is designed to retain and reward Volunteer Firefighters for their service to the community.
Additionally you get an opportunity to learn, serve your community, build more than just friendships, a sense of pride and accomplishment. Also, Allegheny county offers a program called FireVEST which can offer you free or reduced college at CCAC (read about it here: https://www.ccac.edu/academics/firevest.php)
What we need from you: In addition to your initial fire academy classes and your Firefighter 1 certification, you will be required to make 20% of all fire calls annually, attend 32 hours of annual fire school training, Wednesday night trainings from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, effort, heart, dedication and most of all determination.
What to expect after you apply:
After you apply to the USCVFD, you will have a panel interview scheduled with our Fire Chief, Board of Directors, and the Membership Committee Chairman. Upon completion of your interview, you will be scheduled for your physical, drug test, physical agility test and your background check will be completed. Once those steps are successfully completed/passed, you will be voted into membership by the line officers and board of directors.
If you’re ready to become a Volunteer with the USCVFD please fill out our Application Packet for USCVFD and email it to us at membership@uscvfd.org and we will be in touch, or if you like you can print it out and bring it to the station on a Wednesday night. We look forward to hearing from you!
