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What do you think of when you hear the word firefighter? It’s fairly likely that you picture professional firefighters, paid to perform the job they love.
But have you considered whether your local fire department is a volunteer firehouse? The fact is the majority of firefighters in the United States are volunteer firefighters. Unlike career firefighters, who are paid roughly $25 per hour on average, these firefighters hold other (paying) jobs or work in the gig economy to make ends meet, while serving on call for their local fire department.
In fact, almost 70% of U.S. firefighters are volunteers. This is especially true in small communities of under 25,000 people, where the whole fire department can be a volunteer force. Most volunteer firefighters work for their local fire departments as a way to give back to their communities and simply help people in need.
There are two very broad categories of firefighters: professional/career (or paid) firefighters and volunteer firefighters. Let’s take a quick look at the difference.
The main responsibilities of a volunteer firefighter are to assist people in distress, rescue fire victims, and extinguish fires as quickly as possible. They can also assist in medical emergencies, depending on their qualifications. They receive training, though most likely not as much as a career firefighter.
Many volunteer firefighters have full-time jobs and family obligations in addition to their volunteer firefighting duties. Others, especially those looking to start a professional career in firefighting, focus on their volunteer jobs and work gig labor in their off-time.
Volunteer firefighters are usually required to train for a minimum of three hours a week, 52 weeks per year. This is the absolute minimum expected of a volunteer firefighter, and many fire departments require their volunteers to commit more time than this for training. This does not include their on-call shifts for the fire station. More training is required if the station is equipped and depended upon to fight wildland fires.
Career firefighters usually begin with a lengthy training course at a fire academy. A high school diploma is typically a minimal requirement. Other certifications, such as an EMT certification, may be prerequisites in some states or fire departments. Some fire departments may even require their firefighters to obtain a commercial driver’s license in advance of starting the job.
Some firefighters specialize not in structure but in wildland firefighting. This type of firefighting requires different or additional training, and these firefighters are expected to work extremely long hours, potentially many consecutive days on a single fire. The Bureau of Land Management does not allow volunteer firefighters to assist with wildland firefighting, but policies vary by agency for public lands. The National Volunteer Fire Council offers training courses for volunteers to learn wildland firefighting, as there is often a shortage of wildland firefighters.
Because of the extended hours worked, one question that comes up frequently is whether volunteer firefighters are paid or otherwise compensated.
The short answer is that it’s actually illegal to pay a volunteer firefighter a salary or an hourly wage, due to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). According to the FLSA, if a person is paid an hourly wage, they must be paid minimum wage and an overtime rate if their hours exceed a certain threshold. Basically, hourly-paid workers are employees in the eyes of the FLSA—rather than volunteers.
This does not mean that volunteer firefighters make absolutely nothing, however. They may be compensated in the form of a monthly or annual stipend, or a per-call rate. This per-call rate can be as little as $2, which is intended to help pay for gas money as opposed to payment for service. Any compensation for volunteer firefighters depends mostly on the location and duties of the fire service.
Some fire departments reimburse their volunteer firefighters for any expenses incurred on the job. This varies from department to department, however. Many fire departments provide extra benefits— including pensions—for volunteer firefighters as an incentive. In some places, this allows volunteer firefighters to continue working after the age of 65 so they can boost their pensions, even after officially retiring.
There are many often-cited benefits to becoming a volunteer firefighter:
Volunteer firefighters are passionate about helping their communities. They often receive little to no recognition and are under-appreciated for the work they do. They can work long hours, perhaps at multiple jobs, and thus aren’t necessarily perceived as “real” firefighters. But they know better, and for most, the pros outweigh the cons because firefighting is simply a very rewarding job.
You know where this is headed: As volunteer firefighting pays little to nothing, a source of income is necessary. That’s where Hidrent comes in!
Hidrent is an online service that connects firefighters with homeowners and businesses who are looking for gig labor. Why are firefighters ideal for these handyman-type jobs? Because firefighters are safe, trustworthy, and reliable workers, who must pass a rigorous background check to join the brotherhood.
How do you use this innovative service as a homeowner or business owner? Simply sign up online. Then Hidrent will connect you with an available off-duty local firefighter. You get the needed job accomplished while improving the financial well-being of your neighborhood firefighters, be they paid or volunteer.
If this sounds like a win-win situation (it is!) and you would like to post a job for Hidrent-affiliated firefighters, please visit http://www.hidrent.com.