The Southard Fire Department is currently seeking volunteers to dedicate their time to help protect and serve their neighbors. Learn about our positions as an Active Firefighter, Junior Firefighter, Special Teams Member 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 and safely. Emergency calls can cover anything such as - brush fires, structure fires, automobile accidents and fires, alarm activations, and/or Hazardous Materials 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 at least a year. A probationary member is a new firefighter that is only be able to perform certain duties until they have completed training in all facets of firefighting. Probationary training is held twice a 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 264 hours in which you will learn all aspects of being a firefighter. Upon completion of the Fire Academy a state written and performance exam will be administered, that you must pass. 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 is held on the 2nd and 4th Friday.
Junior Volunteer Firefighter
Minimum age requirement: 14 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 are required to submit report cards and / or progress reports to the Chief of 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 legal guardian to discuss their future with the department. Junior Firefighters are required to attend regular training nights throughout the month. 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? How Do I Get More Information?
Download an application online, print it out and either mail it or drop it off at the building.
Interested in more information, please complete the form HERE!
You can also stop by the firehouse and ask for an application at anytime.
Southard Fire Department No.1
P.O. Box 2
Howell, New Jersey 07731
Attn: Membership Committee
