Why should you be a Volunteer?

There are just over 80 members in the Carle Place department. They are all volunteers and come from every walk of life. They are office workers, construction workers, police officers, computer technicians, sales people, managers and students..... just to mention a few. They are your neighbors.... men and women just like you who, for one reason or another took the initiative to give back to the community in which they live.

There are many reasons to become a volunteer. Some of those reasons will differ between individuals, while others remain constant! For nearly everyone, the number one reason is simply the desire to help others in their greatest moments of need. Firefighters and EMS personnel are trained and skilled to respond to all kinds of emergencies from heart attacks to structure fires and there is no greater feeling than when those skills are used to save a life or someone's home. For others there may be a need to be part of the community and to get involved. The fire department is very involved in the community. We not only respond to emergencies but, we provide fire prevention education through our schools, scouting organizations and fire prevention open-houses, we have provided CPR and first aid training to community groups. For a young person starting out in life, it might be the excitement that draws them in but they will soon find that membership provides them with a sense of pride and direction. Perhaps it will even lead them to a career in one of many related fields. Our members continuously strive to improve their skills and to advance our Department's ability to respond emergencies. Membership has its privileges too..... by joining the Carle Place Fire Department you will become part of an organization that has a great deal of pride in itself and its accomplishments. You will also become part of a large social network where members become more like an extended family than co-workers. There is no doubt that as a member, you will meet many new people and make new friends.

Age Requirements

Applicants for the Explorer Program must be between 14 and 18 years old. Applicants for all other categories must be 18 years or older.

Cost & Expenses

All expenses associated with joining the department are covered by Fire Department. The Department will provide you with the gear and equipment necessary to perform your duties as a volunteer. The training that you will receive is either paid for by the department or supplemented by Nassau County . The Department also provides dress uniforms, a physical fitness incentive plan and other essential items. .

Training

All training will be provided at no cost to you.

Residency

Generally, applicants live or own a business within the Carle Place Fire District. In certain cases, we may accept applicants from outside our District. These cases are reviewed individually and should be discussed with our membership committee at the time of application.

Women in the Fire and Emergency Medical Services
There are many women in the fire and emergency services and the Carle Place Department is no exception. Women are an essential part of our Department, particularly in EMS where they make up the majority of our EMS only members.

Time commitment

Your probationary period will be the hardest! This is generally the first year. You will be required to attend a formal training program held by the Nassau County Fire Service Academy . Firefighters will attend a Firefighter level I training program and EMS personnel will attend an Emergency Medical Technician program. These outside training requirements do not apply to the Explorer program. During your probationary period, you will also be required to attend a certain percentage of in-house drills, trainings, meetings and alarm responses. These requirements are at their highest level during the probationary period and are gradually reduced after probation and with seniority.

Benefits

The benefits of being a volunteer are many. First and foremost is the self satisfaction that you will get out of helping others in time of their greatest need. This is a partial list of both monetary and non-monetary benefits. They are in no particular order.

• Self esteem & personal growth
• Community involvement
• Potential Career Avenue
• Training & education in fire fighting, first aid, CPR, rescue and many other related topics
• Comradery and Social activities
• Life insurance coverage
• Service Award Program (similar to a pension program)
• Medical, indemnity and life insurance benefits for line of duty injuries
• Future County & Town tax reductions

Application Process

• Upon receipt of your application for membership, it will be announced at our next regular meeting.

• Once your application is announced our membership committee will contact you to schedule a screening interview. During the screening interview you will learn more about the application process and what will be expected of you once you join. You will also have the opportunity to ask any additional questions that you may have.
• Following the screening interview the Department will request an arson police background check, as is required by New York State law .
• You will need to have a Department Physical (as required by OSHA), at no cost to you.
• Once you have completed all the above prerequisites successfully, your application will be forwarded to the general membership to be voted upon.

For More Information

You may email your questions to: info@carleplacefd.org or you can call our station and ask for an officer. Phone numbers and station address are located on our contact page.

How To Apply

You can download and print an Application for Membership or if you do not have access to a printer you can either pick up an application at any of our stations or mail us and we will mail one to you. Applications can be dropped off at one of our stations or can be Mailed to: Carle Place Fire Department, P. O. Box 22, Carle Place , NY 11514 .

Firefighter

Applicants joining as firefighters are required to attend a basic level of firefighter schools. The classes are given continuously throughout the county and there is no charge to the applicant. Applicants must complete this program within their probationary period. Transferring firefighters who have already completed this program may not be required to retake it depending on individual circumstances. In addition to this external training, probationary firefighters are required to attend a minimum number of department activities. All firefighters are trained for and respond to all types of emergencies and perform all of the tasks required. Firefighters are classified into two categories, Interior and exterior. The difference between the two categories is that there are certain restrictions placed on exterior firefighters. In order to maintain interior firefighter status, members must pass a periodic physical, pass a respirator fit test and complete a series of required annual drills. Firefighters can, and are encouraged to respond to ambulance calls as well. Any firefighter, upon completion of his/her basic firefighter training can enroll in an Emergency Medical Technician ( EMT ) training program.

EMS / Ambulance Personnel

Individuals that whish to provide ambulance and emergency medical services can do so by joining in this capacity. Although the ambulance service is provided through the fire department, these members are not required to fight fires and their training requirements are centered around EMS . An applicant joining as an EMS provider will be required to attend and complete an Emergency Medical Technician course during their probationary period. Since our ambulance responds to and provide medical and support services at all alarms including fires and car accidents, EMS providers are trained in all topics for familiarity. After completing probation, if an EMS provider wishes to become a firefighter they may request a transfer. Any member transferring to firefighter would then be required to complete the same level of firefighter training as is outline above.