Your first year at Cockeysville VFC is designed to get you acclimated to life in the fire service, learn company policies and procedures and see our role in the community. It is also an opportunity to make new friends and learn new skills.
You’ll begin your first year by meeting with the Chief or another officer to complete your new hire paperwork and get set up on station systems. During this time you’ll be scheduled for the three core classes all members must take:
Below are the requirements for all probationary members. If you have any questions before joining, please contact our membership committee. Once voted in, speak to a company officer with any questions or concerns.
Probationary members are required to complete 20 hours in-station per month. Time spent in your FF1 or EMT class does not count towards this requirement.
Spending time at the station allows you to get to know us, learn our procedures, and practice the skills you learn in your classes.
Once cleared as an observer, spending time at the station allows you to ride the equipment and gain experience.
After your first year, you will be expected to complete 16 hours per quarter.
Company meetings occur every other Monday at 7:30pm. Probationary members are required to attend 1 meeting per month and encouraged to attend more.
Once you become a full member, you must attend 10 meetings a year to vote in elections or hold elected office.
If you work Monday nights or attend a fire department class, just fill out a meeting form and you will receive credit. Forms are located outside the Board Room.
Company details are activities the company participates in. Details range from Breakfast with Santa to providing EMS support for events at Oregon Ridge to offering children’s birthday parties.
Of the 6 company details, one must be a fundraiser. We operate several fundraisers per year.
Details are posted throughout the year and provide a great opportunity to get to know other CVFC members.
Completion of Firefighter 1 or EMT is required within your first year.
MFRI runs on the academic year schedule with classes offered in the fall, spring and summer crash courses. Classes are usually offered in four formats:
Class scheduled can be viewed here: https://mfri.org/students/schedules/state-emergency-services-courses Baltimore County is in the “North East” region; however, some members may find classes in “North Central” convenient as well.
If class schedules prevent you from completing the class within the first year, the officers will consider your progress and can extend your probation to allow you time to complete the class.
A Message From Former Chief Elwood Bannister
All riding members are required to complete the following 4 classes and recertify as required by the class.
All members must complete a CPR Professional Level program. Classes are offered for free through the station and the Baltimore County Volunteer Fireman’s Association. If you already have Professional Level CPR certification, just bring your card to your orientation.
CPR must be recertified every 2 years. Recertification classes are provided by the company.
BloodBorne Pathogens teaches important safety precautions for fire/ems personnel to ensure that they are not exposed to bloodborne illnesses. This class is offered online.
Per OSHA regulations, you must take our BBP class even if you are certified through another employer. BBP must be recertified every year. Classes are provided online.
Hazmat Core Competency is an 8-hour class offered monthly that offers a basic understanding of hazardous materials and how to identify them. After your initial certification class, you will be required to complete a yearly refresher online.
ICS, which stands for Incident Command System, provides a standardized framework for incident management. All members are required to complete ICS 100, 200 and 700 before becoming observers.
ICS classes can be completed online. Be sure to print out the certificates of completion.
ICS classes do not require recertification, but maintaining a working knowledge of ICS is important.
As a new member, you will be hit with a lot of information in a short amount of time. Here are a few tips to help you navigate your time in the fire company.
Once you complete your 4 required classes and demonstrate knowledge of the location of equipment on the unit, you can begin riding calls as an observer.
Observers are able to ride along and observe, but generally not participate in calls. Riding as an observer before you begin class can give you valuable information to make class easier, and riding during class allows you to see classroom concepts in action.
After a call, ASK QUESTIONS. It’s a great way to learn and get to know your fellow members.
As with membership in any organization, it’s important to know the rules of the organization. The CVFC constitution, bylaws and rules are located on Fire Rescue Reports, our internal website (www.cvfcfrr.com), or in the radio room at the station.
As you learn skills in class, it’s important to practice them in the station. Training is an essential part of the fire service, as people are depending on us to be able to deliver in an emergency. Members are always happy to help new members learn, and there is a wealth of knowledge available. Attend training classes and be proactive; ask to train!
Membership in a volunteer fire company is more than just responding to calls. There are a number of administrative tasks to be done, fundraising that needs to be done, and public relations such as firehouse tours and birthday parties.
Volunteer to serve on a committee. You’ll be helping out and it’s a great way to feel part of the company. Not only that, you will be earning points towards your LOSAP requirement.
LOSAP (Length of Service Awards Program) is a program that rewards Maryland volunteer firefighters for the time spent in station. Everything you do in the fire service earns you points, from riding calls to attending meetings to serving on committees; even time in the station counts. You need to earn 50 points per year to be considered “Active.” It’s very easy to earn 50 points throughout the year.
Once you have earned 50 points for 3 years and 36 months, you are eligible to receive a $4,000 dollar Maryland income subtraction credit.
Once you have earned 50 points for 25 years, you are eligible to receive a monthly pension check from LOSAP.
On your first day in the station you will recieve your LOSAP number. It’s important to remember this number as it’s your identification number for your time in the FD.
Our officers and members pride themselves on reaching out to new members to help them learn, but you can also reach out to them. Ask questions! Ask members to go over equipment, rules, policies, anything, with you.
* We understand that sometimes due to class schedules and personal commitments, it may not be possible to complete FF1 or EMT within the 1st year. In those cases, the officers and board can extend the probationary period to give time to complete the course.