- Have you ever heard a siren or seen a fire engine — and wondered what was happening?
- Have you ever witnessed or come upon a motor vehicle accident — and wished you could help?
- Have you been there when someone was stricken with sudden illness — and wanted to assist?
- Are you looking for new lifelong friendships, challenges and rewards?
- Do you want to become involved in your community?
- Are you looking to supplement your retirement?
Different people volunteer for different reasons. Action oriented people enjoy the excitement and adrenaline rush that emergency services has to offer. Some see the volunteer fire service as an alternative to “driving a desk by day” by allowing them to “drive a fire truck or ambulance at night!”
Many like the feeling they get when they help people in their time of need and some feel it”s their obligation to serve the community. Yet others just want to belong to the team. Whatever motivates you to volunteer — everyone gains the self-satisfaction of being at their best when others are dealing with what is often the worst that life has to offer.
Imagine having to prepare yourself to cope with situations that range from structure fires to childbirth to hazardous chemical spills to heart attacks to almost any imaginable emergency in between. This diversity is coupled with the fact that these skills may be needed at any time of the day or night, seven days a week, in any kind of weather, and very often under potentially stressful and emotional circumstances. Yet these same factors contribute to our profession being so personally rewarding.
We realize that firefighting & EMS is not for everyone, but we believe that volunteering can be. There is plenty of work to be done on or behind the scenes, too.
The personal rewards and satisfaction received from what we do is often beyond description. There is the sense of accomplishment when you control a building fire, joy and elation when a child is born, compassion for accident victims, and fulfillment from teaching fire safety.
The bottom line in our business is measured by preventing and mitigating the loss of life, pain and suffering, and the property damage.
Volunteering in emergency services is one of the most important decisions you may make. We hope that you give this decision the time and serious consideration it deserves, and decide to join our ranks.
Benefits
The real reward is how you’ll feel about yourself, but that’s just the beginning.
Being a volunteer at Elkridge enables you to get a state income tax deduction, LOSAP (Length of Service Award Program) with retirement benefits, professional development, ability to take any class through the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute (MFRI) and much more.
- Financial Incentive: You may be a volunteer but that doesn’t mean there are not financial incentives. Maryland residents receive up to $7,000 tax credit after three years of active service with a volunteer fire/EMS department in Maryland.
- LOSAP: The LOSAP is a county funded program which provides a monthly award after 25 years of active volunteer service within the county.
- Professional Development: Whether you have tons of fire/ems experience or a rookie fresh to public safety, volunteers are able to sign up for MFRI classes. MFRI offer numerous basic to advanced fire, rescue, EMS & leadership courses. Additionally, some courses are transferable for college credits. Select courses are also able to be Pro Boarded, which is a national certification.
These courses are free of charge to active members. Classes are conveniently offered within the county, with schedules to meet just about anyone’s needs — including nights and weekends. Additionally, every month and on a regular basis, Elkridge hosts or completes trainings to strengthen skills learned in classes.