Recruitment Info

Currently, the Southard Fire Department is seeking volunteers to dedicate their time to help protect and serve their neighbors. Learn about our positions as an Active Firefighter, Junior Firefighter or Social Member and see what suits you best!

Active Volunteer Firefighter

Minimum age requirement: 18 years old
As an Active Volunteer Firefighter, you are required to answer emergency response calls any time of the day or night. Sleep is frequently interrupted. Firefighters must be experts at donning the appropriate gear and getting on emergency vehicles quickly. Emergency calls can cover anything such as - brush fires, structure fires, automobile accidents and fires, alarm activations, hazardous materials spills, dive and confined space team requests, medical assist calls and bomb threats just to name a few. All must be responded to with the same speed and professionalism.

When you first join the department you will be placed on what is called probationary status for 1 year. A probationary member is a new firefighter that is only be able to perform certain duties until they have been completed trained in all facets of firefighting. Probationary training is held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Unless an applicant has already ascertained the State of New Jersey Firefighter 1 certificate, you are required to attend the firefighter academy, which is approximately 17 weeks of either a Saturday or Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Upon completion of the 17 weeks a state written and performance exam will be administered. During your probationary time, instructors will teach you about every piece of equipment we use and the inner workings of the fire department. In addition to the training, you are also required to make at least one meeting a month, which are held on the 2nd and 4th Friday.

Junior Volunteer Firefighter

Minimum age requirement: 16 years old
As a Junior Firefighter, you are required to answer fire calls similar to active firefighters. Junior Firefighters are not permitted to answer any calls after 10:00 p.m. on school nights or any time in which school is in session. At no time will a Junior Firefighter be placed in any type of hazard or life threatening situation. The philosophy at the Southard Fire Department is that during a young firefighters life the focus should be on excelling in school and conducting themselves as a role model to the other young adults in the town. The department has a standing guideline that requires that all Junior Firefighters maintain a "C" average or above. Junior Firefighters will be requested to submit report cards and / or progress reports to the Chief of the department as they are received. If at any time a Junior Firefighters grades should fall, a meeting will be held with the Junior Firefighter and his / her parents. Junior Firefighters are required to attend regular training nights on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In addition to making training classes, you are also required to attend one meeting a month, which are held on the 2nd and 4th Friday.

Social Membership

Minimum age requirement: 21 years old
Social members do not actively participate in handling of emergencies, but participates in various administrative functions to help the department. There is no training requirement. Functions include but are not limited to fund raising, photography, publicity, legal support, clean ups, work details and secretarial support. Social members are required to attend one meeting a month, which are held on the 2nd and 4th Friday.

How Do I Join?

Download an application online, print it out and either mail it or drop it off at the building. You can also stop by the firehouse and ask for an application.

Southard Fire Department No.1
P.O. Box 2 Howell, New Jersey 07731
Attn: Membership Committee