Below is some information that we believe may be of use to persons considering membership. For an application, please stop by the firehouse anytime, call the firehouse at 845-564-2020 or complete our online application and we’ll be in touch.
Below is some information that we believe may be of use to persons considering membership. For an application, please stop by the firehouse anytime, call the firehouse at 845-564-2020 or complete our online application and we’ll be in touch.
There is plenty of opportunity to serve your community through the volunteer fire service, and much of it has nothing to do with firefighting.
Fire service is one of the most challenging professions today. This business is not for everyone however. You need more than just desire to help people. You need courage, dedication, assertiveness and a willingness to learn new skills and face new challenges.
The personal rewards and satisfaction received from the volunteer fire service is often beyond description. There is a sense of accomplishment after controlling a building fire, joy and elation when a life is saved, compassion for accident victims, and fulfillment in teaching fire safety.
If you are looking for a change of pace or excitement in your life, the world of volunteer fire services is for you. If this action-filled lifestyle does not appeal to you, have no fear, there is plenty more that can be done in the business of firefighting that does not include running into burning buildings or other situations.
We have various committees within the company, all of which you will be welcomed to join. Running and maintaining a company of our size is time consuming and at times, costly, so the volunteering of your time is something we value. Just the maintenance of the building and grounds alone runs into quite a piece of change.
We also maintain a computer system, attend to regular truck and equipment maintenance, as well as tending to fundraising, dinners, public education, memorial services, parades, and a full menu of things that need to be done by the volunteers. Other committees include public relations, By-Laws updates, membership/recruitment, parade committee and station maintenance committee.
Most of our members at Cronomer Valley Fire Dept. have entered the company with no previous fire experience. Cronomer Valley firefighters pride themselves on regular drills and training. While formal training to ride is required, new members are able to ride in a limited capacity after receiving basic in-house training.
Initial formal training consists of the Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations class taught at the Orange County Fire Training Center in New Hampton NY. This class is approximately 80 hours, and spans a total of 3-4 months twice a week. Students receive instruction in theories of fire behavior and suppression, forcible entry, ventilation, property salvage, basic hazardous materials training, as well as first aid and CPR. Most of the class is hands-on.
Upon completing the BEFO class, members are welcome to take additional specialty classes that are applicable to our operations that interest them. Such classes include Interior Firefighting, vehicle rescue, rope rescue, hazardous materials, and firefighting operations.
Perhaps the most important aspect of our training comes from our weekly Drill nights which are held on Monday nights from 7-10pm and Wednesday mornings from 9am-Noon. Officers conduct drills to sharpen everyone’s skills or to try out a new procedure. Regular Maintenance nights are on Wednesday nights from 7-10pm. Once a month on the first Thursday, the Department holds its regular business meetings to act on decisions to attend functions, spend money, pay bills, and reports from Officers and Committees.