You can become a volunteer firefighter if you are at least 18, hold a valid driver’s license, pass a background check and a medical and physical ability test, and complete the training your local department requires. The path to becoming a volunteer firefighter is fairly consistent across the country: meet the baseline requirements, apply, pass screening, train at a fire academy, and finish a probationary period on the crew. The specifics vary by department, so the right starting point is understanding what every department is going to ask of you.
Who Can Apply
Most volunteer departments set the minimum age at 18. Junior programs exist for ages 14 to 16 and above, but anyone under 18 is generally barred from interior firefighting, rooftop work, or anything close to hazardous environments. Minors under 16 are usually limited to classroom learning and observation; 16- and 17-year-olds can take part in some hands-on drills.
A valid driver’s license is close to universal, because volunteers need to reach the station quickly and may operate department vehicles. Some departments also want a high school diploma or GED, often as a prerequisite for the fire academy. Residency rules vary. Some departments require you to live within a certain distance of the station for response-time reasons; others have no residency rule at all. If quick response matters to the department, your commute will come up during the application.
Criminal History and Background Checks
Every department runs a background check. An arson conviction disqualifies you everywhere, and most departments also reject applicants with felony convictions, especially for violence, dishonesty, or drug trafficking. Minor traffic tickets usually don’t matter. A pattern of reckless or impaired driving can, because it may bar you from operating department vehicles.
When a department uses an outside company to run the check, the Fair Credit Reporting Act applies. You have to give written consent, and the department has to follow specific notice rules if the report leads to rejection. Departments that run checks in-house through law enforcement databases are not bound by those third-party rules, though general anti-discrimination law still applies.
Medical and Physical Standards
Firefighting is punishing work, and departments screen for conditions that could put you or the crew at risk. Federal workplace safety rules require a medical evaluation before anyone can use a respirator, which every structural firefighter does. That exam looks for cardiac and respiratory problems that could be made worse by heat, exertion, or breathing from a self-contained breathing apparatus.
Most departments follow the NFPA 1582 standard for the medical evaluation. Under that standard, corrected binocular vision must be at least 20/40 and uncorrected binocular vision at least 20/100. Average hearing loss above 40 decibels at key speech frequencies in the better ear is disqualifying, as is any hearing impairment that prevents you from recognizing cries for help or audible alarms. Departments also screen for uncontrolled hypertension, insulin-dependent diabetes, and seizure disorders. If the department doesn’t pay for the exam, expect to spend somewhere between $100 and $300.
The Candidate Physical Ability Test
Many departments use the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) to measure whether you can handle fireground work. The test strings together eight timed events while you wear a 50-pound weighted vest that simulates gear:
- Three minutes on a StepMill with an added 25 pounds on the shoulders.
- Dragging a charged hoseline, then advancing it from a kneeling position.
- Removing tools from a rack, carrying them a set distance, and returning them.
- Raising a ground ladder and extending a fly ladder with a halyard.
- Striking a measuring device with a sledgehammer until it reaches a set distance.
- Crawling through a dark, confined tunnel maze.
- Dragging a 165-pound mannequin a set distance.
- Pushing up ceiling tiles and pulling down with a pike pole, repeatedly.
You have 10 minutes and 20 seconds for the full sequence. Failing or refusing any event ends the test. Departments that don’t use CPAT by name typically use something close to it in intensity.
Applying and Interviewing
Application forms are usually available at the fire station, the municipal building, or the department website. You will be asked for a detailed employment history, any emergency services certifications you already hold, and personal references. Errors or omissions can sink an application, so take your time.
After a recruitment committee reviews your materials, you’ll typically interview with a panel of officers. They want to know about your availability for overnight and weekend calls, your reasons for volunteering, and whether your family and employer are on board. Genuine enthusiasm and a realistic sense of the time commitment carry more weight here than rehearsed answers. Some departments add a psychological evaluation or a deeper character review afterward. The whole process from application to acceptance generally takes one to three months, often timed to the next academy cycle.
Training to Get Certified
Once accepted, you’ll move into a structured training program that normally leads to Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification. These follow National Fire Protection Association standards and are delivered through regional or local fire academies. Firefighter I alone runs about 160 to 200 hours and covers fire behavior, hose work, ladders, ventilation, and search and rescue. Firefighter II builds on that with more advanced tactics. Together, plan on several hundred hours of academy time, usually scheduled on evenings and weekends so volunteers can keep their day jobs.
You’ll also complete Hazardous Materials Awareness training. Federal safety rules at 29 CFR 1910.120 require first responders to be trained at least to the awareness level, which means recognizing a hazmat release and calling for specialized help rather than attempting cleanup.
Depending on the department, you may add more. Emergency Medical Technician certification is increasingly expected, since volunteer departments handle medical calls alongside fire responses. Departments near wildland-urban interface areas may require wildland qualifications through courses like S-130 and S-190 under the National Wildfire Coordinating Group system.1National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Firefighter Type 2 (Crewmember) Qualification Requirements Technical rescue, vehicle extrication, and water rescue are other common add-ons.
Probation and the Real Time Commitment
New members typically serve a probationary period of six months to one year. You’ll work alongside experienced firefighters who evaluate how you apply your training, maintain equipment, and fit into the crew. Probation is the department’s last filter and can be extended if you miss training or fail to show basic competency.
The ongoing commitment catches a lot of new volunteers off guard. On top of emergency calls at any hour, most departments hold weekly or biweekly training, expect you to show up for station workdays, and require a minimum number of training hours each year to keep your certifications current. Realistically, plan for 10 to 20 hours a month of scheduled activity before you add in actual responses. Call volume and department size move that number in either direction.
What You Get Paid and What You Don’t
Volunteer firefighters don’t earn a traditional salary, but most receive some form of financial recognition. Many departments pay a per-call stipend or an annual retention bonus. These stay modest on purpose, so the department remains within the Fair Labor Standards Act’s definition of a volunteer and doesn’t convert members into employees owed minimum wage and overtime.2eCFR. 29 CFR 553.106 – Payment of Expenses, Benefits, or Fees
Section 139B of the Internal Revenue Code excludes qualified state or local government payments to volunteer firefighters from gross income, up to $50 per month of active service and a maximum of $600 per year. The exclusion was made permanent in 2020.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 26 USC 139B – Benefits Provided to Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Medical Responders Several states add their own credits or deductions on top, often a flat $250 to $500 credit, with a few states offering larger income deductions.
Many communities also run Length of Service Award Programs, which work like a small defined-contribution retirement plan funded by the municipality. Federal tax rules cap annual accruals at $3,000 per participant, and actual contributions are usually below that.
If a volunteer firefighter is killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty, federal benefits are available through the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program. For deaths and disabilities in fiscal year 2026, the one-time benefit is $461,656, and eligible survivors can receive $1,574 a month in educational assistance for full-time study.4Bureau of Justice Assistance. Benefits by Year – PSOB Coverage applies to volunteers who are officially recognized members of a legally organized department.
Legal Protections While You Serve
The federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 shields volunteers of nonprofits and government entities from personal liability for ordinary negligence while acting within the scope of their duties. It does not cover willful misconduct, gross negligence, reckless behavior, or harm caused while operating a motor vehicle. For the routine judgment calls that come up on a fireground, though, an injured civilian generally cannot sue you personally for an honest mistake.5GovInfo. Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 States often layer additional protections on top.
A majority of states also prohibit employers from firing or disciplining employees who miss work to respond as volunteer firefighters. The details vary: some states only cover declared emergencies, some require advance notice to your employer, and leave may be paid or unpaid. Where the protection exists, an employer who retaliates can face penalties and may be ordered to reinstate you with back pay. Check your state’s labor code for exactly what applies.
Injuries on a call are a real possibility. Most states cover volunteer firefighters under workers’ compensation by statute, which pays medical bills and part of your lost regular wages for injuries sustained during department activities. Scope varies, so ask your department what insurance they carry for volunteers before your first shift.
Finding a Department
The simplest move is to walk into your nearest fire station and ask. Most volunteer stations post recruitment information on sign boards, social media, or municipal websites. Your county or regional fire coordinator can point you to departments that are actively recruiting, and many state fire marshal offices and state firefighters’ associations maintain online directories. In suburban and rural areas, there’s a strong chance at least one volunteer or combination department within a short drive is looking for people. Most departments will be glad to hear from you.