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Volunteer Firefighter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

County of Riley

Volunteer Firefighter

Manhattan, KS ยท On-site

Volunteer Firefighters serve as part of Riley County Fire District #1 (RCFD1) by responding to a wide variety of situations, ranging from emergencies that immediately threaten life or property to ...

Elko County

Volunteer Firefighter

Elko, NV

The Volunteer Firefighter serves the County and communities by responding to a wide variety of situations, ranging from emergencies that immediately threaten life or property to routine citizen ...

City of Seaside

Volunteer Firefighter

Seaside, OR ยท On-site

Become a Volunteer Firefighter. รฐยŸ"ยฅServe your community. Train with professionals. Make a difference.Seaside Fire & Rescue is seeking committed individuals to join our team as Volunteer ...

Kings County

Volunteer Firefighter

Hanford, CA

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS MUST RESIDE WITHIN KINGS COUNTY. The Kings County Fire Department is looking for energetic, reliable individuals to fill Volunteer Firefighter positions throughout Kings County.

Riley County, KS

Volunteer Firefighter

Manhattan, KS ยท On-site

Description Volunteer Firefighters serve as part of Riley County Fire District #1 (RCFD1) by responding to a wide variety of situations, ranging from emergencies that immediately threaten life or ...

Kings County, CA

Volunteer Firefighter

Hanford, CA ยท On-site

Fire - Volunteer Firefighter (Fire - Volunteer Firefighter) Opening Date: 07/01/2026 Closing Date: 6/30/2027 5:00 PM Pacific JOB OPPORTUNITY THIS IS A VOLUNTEER NON-PAID, AT-WILL POSITION AND SERVES ...

Elko County, NV

Volunteer Firefighter

Elko, NV ยท On-site

The Volunteer Firefighter serves the County and communities by responding to a wide variety of situations, ranging from emergencies that immediately threaten life or property to routine citizen ...

Riley County

Volunteer Firefighter

Manhattan, KS ยท On-site

Volunteer Firefighters perform within the scope of the policies and guidelines of RCFD#1 and Riley County and perform duties in the following general categories: Fire suppression, emergency medical ...

City of Seaside

Volunteer Firefighter

Seaside, OR

Become a Volunteer Firefighter. Serve your community. Train with professionals. Make a difference. Seaside Fire & Rescue is seeking committed individuals to join our team as Volunteer Firefighters ...

City of Astoria

Volunteer Firefighter

Astoria, OR ยท On-site

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER ASTORIA FIRE DEPARTMENT Astoria, Oregon This is a recruitment for local volunteers only. Please submit your application when you are living within the Astoria, Oregon response ...

City of Astoria

Volunteer Firefighter

Astoria, OR

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER ASTORIA FIRE DEPARTMENT Astoria, Oregon This is a recruitment for local volunteers only. Please submit your application when you are living within the Astoria, Oregon response ...

City of Astoria

Volunteer Firefighter

Astoria, OR ยท On-site

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER ASTORIA FIRE DEPARTMENT Astoria, Oregon This is a recruitment for local volunteers only. Please submit your application when you are living within the Astoria, Oregon response ...

GMCCommissioning

Volunteer Firefighter

Bishop, CA

CITY OF BISHOP FIRE DEPARTMENT VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER Bishop Fire Department is looking for dedicated and eager to learn individuals who want to be a part of a growing organization. Your service will ...

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How much do volunteer firefighter jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for volunteer firefighter in the United States is $19.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $21.39 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Volunteer Firefighter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Volunteer Firefighter, you need physical fitness, basic firefighting training, and often completion of certification courses such as Firefighter I or CPR. Familiarity with firefighting equipment, emergency communication systems, and rescue tools is typically required. Strong teamwork, resilience under pressure, and a commitment to community service are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills ensure effective emergency response, personal safety, and the ability to protect lives and property in high-stress situations.

What is the difference between Volunteer Firefighter vs Firefighter?

AspectVolunteer FirefighterFirefighter
Required CertificationsBasic firefighting training, CPR, first aidAdvanced firefighting certifications, EMT/paramedic license often required
Work EnvironmentCommunity-based, often part-time, rural or suburban areasFull-time, urban or suburban fire departments
Employer & Industry UsageVolunteer fire departments, local governmentPaid fire departments, municipal agencies
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding volunteer roles, training, and responsibilitiesFull-time career options, qualifications, and duties

Volunteer Firefighters typically serve part-time in community-based departments with basic training, while Firefighters are full-time professionals with advanced certifications working in urban or suburban settings. Both roles are vital for emergency response but differ mainly in commitment level, training, and employment status.

What Does a Volunteer Firefighter Do?

A volunteer firefighter serves their community, either with a volunteer company or alongside career firefighters and first responders. As a volunteer firefighter, you respond to a variety of emergency situations, such as natural disasters, fires, and medical emergencies. Your responsibilities may also include assisting with rescue missions, restocking supplies, cleaning the fire trucks, and answering emergency calls. You need excellent communication skills and the ability to follow orders to serve as a volunteer firefighter.

What are volunteer firefighters?

Volunteer firefighters are individuals who offer their time and skills without pay to help protect their communities from fires and other emergencies. They undergo training and respond to emergency calls alongside or in support of full-time firefighters. In addition to fighting fires, volunteer firefighters often assist with rescue operations, medical emergencies, and public safety education. Their dedication is essential, especially in rural or smaller communities where full-time fire departments may not be available.

What are some common challenges Volunteer Firefighters face when balancing firefighting duties with other personal or professional commitments?

Volunteer Firefighters often juggle their firefighting responsibilities with full-time jobs, family commitments, and personal obligations. This role can require responding to emergency calls at unpredictable hours, which may interrupt daily routines or planned activities. Time management and strong communication with both the fire department and personal networks are crucial for maintaining this balance. Additionally, ongoing training and community events may add to the time commitment, but many departments offer flexible scheduling and support to help volunteers succeed.
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What job categories do people searching Volunteer Firefighter jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Volunteer Firefighter jobs are:
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Volunteer Firefighter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Volunteer Firefighter job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 75% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 13% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,998 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

Volunteer Firefighter

County of Riley

Manhattan, KS โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Description:

Volunteer Firefighters serve as part of Riley County Fire District #1 (RCFD1) by responding to a wide variety of situations, ranging from emergencies that immediately threaten life or property to routine citizen requests for assistance. Volunteer Firefighters perform within the scope of the policies and guidelines of RCFD#1 and Riley County and perform duties in the following general categories: Fire suppression, emergency medical service, rescue, hazardous material responses, training and public education. The Volunteer Firefighter operates under the supervision of an officer(s) and is expected to function effectively as part of a highly trained team.

Volunteer Firefighters support the department in all activities including emergency response, training, maintenance, and other activities. Volunteer Firefighters are expected to respond from home or work to emergency calls when available.

  • Must live locally to volunteer.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Respond to alarms of fire or other emergencies in accordance with department policies and guidelines
  • Place equipment, stretch and connect hoselines, and use a variety of hand tools
  • Direct water streams and fire extinguishers
  • Raise and climb ladders
  • Operate rescue and extrication equipment
  • Donn and doff firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
  • Safely drive emergency vehicles and operate fire pumps
  • Work in inclement weather and terrain during daytime and nighttime operations
  • Study and learn the geography of nearby response area, location of important buildings, fire hydrants and the county addressing system
  • Attend training as assigned

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

  • Required to complete RCFD#1 orientation and probationary period prior to actively responding to emergencies
  • Required to complete department driver/operator training and obtain station officer approval prior to driving any emergency vehicle
  • Performs other duties as assigned
Requirements:

Education:

High School graduate or GED equivalent

Required to attend scheduled training to maintain a high level of knowledge, skill and ability necessary to function safely and effectively as a firefighter.


Preferred (but not required) Certifications include:

  • Firefighter I, II
  • EMT/EMR
  • Hazardous Materials
  • CPR/AED

Skills:

  • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions using the English language

Physical Demand/Effort:

  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and smell. The employee occasionally lifts/pushes/pulls 50+lbs, frequently lifts up of 25-50lbs and constant lift of up to 25lbs and during emergency situations lift and/or move up to 150 pounds.
  • Once approved, Volunteer Firefighter may drive County vehicles long distances, across the county, on paved an unmaintained surface. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Movements over rough terrain and stooping and crawling in close quarters may result in extreme physical exertion. Must be able to pass an annual physical. Must be able to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) according to NFPA standards.