FAQs (frequently asked questions)bout our department are answered here. Additional information may be found on this website or by contacting us.
Company Membership FAQs
- The department is composed of Brigade Members who are emergency responders and non Brigade Members who are responsible for providing administrative functions and fire safety education.
- Thus all members have the same requirements for attaining and maintaining membership. In addition, Brigade Members have further training requirements.
- Probationary Company Members are new members who have not yet met length of service and participation (point based) requirements to be elected to Active Membership.
- Be a Probationary Member for more than 6 months but no greater than 24 months.
- Within any 6 month period of probation, accumulate one half of the participation points required annually of an active member. Therefore, the following participation is required:
• 2 monthly Business, Board, or Exceptional Department Meetings,
• 3 official Committee Meetings, and
• 2 Work Nights. - Once the above requirements are met, the Board may recommend the individual for Active Membership. However, final approval is granted based on a secret ballot by the active members at the next scheduled business Meeting.
- Over the course of the Company year (October 1st – September 30th), participate in a minimum of:
• 4 monthly Business, Board, or Exceptional Department Meetings,
• 5 official Committee Meetings, and
• 4 Work Nights.
However, these requirements are not the sole criteria for MTVFD Active Membership eligibility. Further details will be provided during the application process
Brigade and Other Membership FAQs
- Brigade Members are responsible for responding to emergency calls.
- An Interior Firefighter may enter the interior of involved structures while performing firefighting duties after meeting the training requirements listed below.
- Requires successful completion of “Essentials of Firefighting” modules “Introduction to Fire Service”, “Fireground Support”, “Exterior Firefighter”, and “Interior Firefighter” (with Structure Burn) at an approved fire academy or provide satisfactory evidence of comparable training.
- In addition, Firefighter I Pro-Board Certification is strongly recommended.
- An Exterior Firefighter limited to the exterior of involved structures while performing firefighting duties after meeting the training requirements listed below.
- Requires successful completion through “Module 3” (“Exterior Firefighter”) of the “Essentials of Firefighting” program at an approved fire academy or provide satisfactory evidence of comparable training.
- A Support Brigade Member responds to emergency calls and provides support to the Interior and Exterior Firefighters.
- The scope of the support is based on the Support Brigade Member’s interests and meeting the appropriate qualifications.
- An example of a Support Brigade Member’s duties might be traffic control.
- Minimum qualifications, listed below must be met.
- Be an Active Department Member in good standing.
- Finish at least 6 months of active duty as a Probationary Brigade Member.
- Successfully complete IS-100.c and IS-700.b.
- Complete thirty (30) hours of training during the Brigade qualification year.
- Attend at least five (5) regularly scheduled MTVFD trainings.
- Training must also include the following each Brigade qualification year:
- A Probationary Brigade Member is working toward meeting the qualifications listed below to become a Brigade Member.
- Be a Probationary Member or Active Member in good standing.
- Enroll in “Essentials of Firefighting” at a fire academy or a program of comparable training.
- Register for HAZ-MAT training at an approved fire academy or in a program of comparable training.
- Receive approval of the Training Officer, or his/her designate, that acknowledges the member’s commitment to meeting his/her training obligations.
- Brigade Members and Support Brigade Members may also be Driver/Operators by meeting additional qualifications including completing EVDT with the appropriate Driver Trainer as defined by the Brigade’s driving policy.
- The Chief must approve all Drivers/Operators
- Annual Recertification is required in subsequent years.
- A Junior Brigade Member is:
Between the ages of 16 and 17. - Intends to become a Brigade Member after the age of 18 (when all training requirements are met).
- Exact duties are determined by the Chief Officer and by State and Federal regulations.
- Be an Active Department member in good standing.
- Successfully complete at least 6 months of active duty as a Probationary Brigade Member.
- An Associate Brigade Member is a firefighter whose primary (home) membership is with another department.
- Must provide certification from their home department’s Chief of membership in good standing.
- Have at least one year of service at their home department.
- Complete training that meets or exceeds MTVFD’s training minimums.
- Acceptance as an Associate Brigade Member is subject to the Chief’s review.
- If accepted, must respond to a minimum of ten calls, or have had at least two hours of on-station on ten separate occasions.
- Provide certification from the Chief of their home department of membership in good standing.
- Have at least one year of service at their home department.
- Complete training that meets or exceeds MTVFD training minimums.
- To remain eligible, they must respond to a minimum of 10 calls or at least two hours of time on station for 10 separate occasions in a Qualification Year.
- A Life Member has accumulated 15 years of service as an Active Member.
- An Affiliate Member is a member who has failed to meet the participation requirements of Active Membership.
- An Honorary Member is an individual with outstanding service rendered and/or providing unique, essential services.
- No. You do not have to live within Township boundaries.
- However, if your goal is to become a Brigade Member, you will need to live or work within a reasonable distance from one of our fire stations so that you may respond to incidents within an acceptable period of time. Station #1 is located at 270 Northgate Drive in Warrendale. Station #2 is located at 465 Knob Road, near Knob Hill Park.
- Since non Brigade Members don’t respond to incidents, living or working in close proximity to one of the fire stations is not required.
- Fill out a membership application form and get a series of background checks done. Go to the “Volunteering” tab on the MTVFD web site and click on the “Member Application Process page” link to start the process.
- Shortly after you electronically submit your application form, you will be contacted by a member of Human Resources (HR) to guide you through the remainder of the process.
- You will have an interview with a member of HR.
- When all background checks are completed and you are recommended for membership by HR, MTVFD’s Board will vote on your application for membership.
- After Board approval, you will be sworn in as a Probationary Company Member at the next scheduled Board or Business meeting.
- All expenses incurred during the application process will be paid for by MTVFD.
- The time requirements to maintain Company Membership are quite modest: 2-3 hours per month.
- A Brigade Member will spend more time fulfilling training requirements and responding to emergency calls. Details are described elsewhere in these FAQs.
- Company Members will participate in non Brigade activities. The type and frequency of participation will be based on the Member’s interests.
- Many members far exceed the minimum requirements, but this is by choice rather than by mandate.
- Members are encouraged to respond to calls whenever possible, but there is no on-call duty schedule. Over 500 incidents are responded to over the course of a year.
Benefits FAQs
- MTVFD pays for all approved training and equipment costs. Most is paid directly by MTVFD. Any costs that you incur will be reimbursed.
- Station 2, located at 465 Knob Road, near Knob Hill Park has living quarters on the second floor. This consists of three private bedrooms and a common area including full bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, and recreation room.
- Live-ins who participate in this program live here rent free.
- Participants must submit a schedule of on call times weekly (minimum 5 hour shifts totaling 40 hours per week).
- During on call times live-in’s are expected to spend a minimum of 15 hours per week performing non-call fire department duties.
- No. Our department is an all volunteer organization. No one gets a salary.
- Certain member incurred expenses will be reimbursed with proper documentation and the necessary approvals.
- You are covered by workers compensation if you are injured while performing MTVFD duties. Additionally, depending on circumstances, other coverage may apply as well.
- When driving an MTVFD vehicle and performing Department duties (emergency response or otherwise) and you are in a traffic accident, you are covered by MTVFD’s insurance policy.
- If you are driving your personal vehicle to one of MTVFD’s stations to perform Department duties (emergency response or otherwise) and in a traffic accident, you are covered by MTVFD’s insurance policy.
- An annual comprehensive medical checkup is available to you free of charge.
- Term life insurance may be provided to you free of charge one year after you are sworn in as a Probationary Company Member.
Community Outreach FAQs
- Instructions may be found on the Charitable Donations page.
- To arrange a tour of our fire stations, see our Community Outreach page.
- We love coming to children’s parties, birthdays, neighborhood block parties, or company events. See our Community Outreach page.
Fire Safety FAQs
- Our department offers a wide range of programs to help prepare the community for an emergency.
- More information is available on our Fire Safety and Prevention page. Another good starting point is the National Fire Protection Association website.