In NH, Do you need to take Firefighter 1 Training to be on a Volunteer FD?

Question

Im on a dept now for "hangaround time" and some say I need FF1 before I can go on the trucks and get gear. Others say Ill be probationary and not need FF1 I can just start slowly. Any thoughts? Im in NH.

Answer 1

That's up to your individual department, and there are probably SOPs on the subject.

My department allows probationary "rookies" to take our own dept's "mini-Academy". We get gear right away, because you need it to train. We can drive the trucks, but can't engineer them. (And, technically, you should be able to engineer the truck in order to drive it on a call.)

We have people on our department who will probably never take FF1. They are EMTs, First Responders, or Wildland FFs, so we use them in other ways.

Answer 2

at the fire hall my husband volunteered at for 10 years, they didn't require any specialized training, but you could definitely tell the ones who didn't have it.  they were the ones always jumping in over their heads, and sometimes getting hurt, or others hurt in the process.  if you're going to do it, do it right.  it is much better to have too much knowledge when dealing with fires than not enough!

Answer 3

NH may have laws regarding the requirement for FF I or FF II or even NFPA Entry level.. however, you most strict requirement wil be the department you are working for..  Talk to the training officer or the chief, find out what their actual requirements are and follow those..  

I could say nah, NH dont require it, then your department might, and the answer would be useless...