WILL YOU ANSWER THE CALL?
The fire and rescue service is one of the most diverse and challenging professions today. It is the diverse experience that inspires most men and women to enter the service--both as volunteers and career employees. Imagine having to train to prepare yourself to cope with situations which range from building fires to childbirth to hazardous chemical spills to heart attacks, and almost any imaginable emergency situation in between. This diversity is coupled with the fact that these skills may be needed at any time of the day, seven days a week, in any kind of weather and very often under potentially stressful and emotional circumstances. These challenges contribute to our profession being personally rewarding.
The personal rewards and satisfaction received from the fire and rescue service are often beyond description. There is a sense of accomplishment after controlling a building fire, joy and elation when a child is born, compassion for accident victims, and fulfillment in teaching fire safety. This list goes on and on. The bottom line in our business is measured by the loss of life, pain and suffering, and property damage we have prevented or reduced. We are here and prepared for one reason, and that is to provide service to the people.
We are volunteers, and we pride ourselves in providing quality emergency services to Beltsville and the surrounding areas, but we cannot do it alone. We are a diverse department: we are fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, high school-students and college graduates, and often work full time jobs all while maintaining a commitment to serving Beltsville.
If this sounds like you, we need you. If you are looking for a change in your life; to do something with it that would really make a difference, then you have come to the right place.
Do you think you have what it takes to be a member of our team?
Fill out our Online Application
Basic Requirements: 
- Must be 16 years old
- Pass a background check
- Pass a physical exam
- Attend VRS ( Volunteer Recruit School)
- 3 day class to give insight on the Prince George’s County Fire & EMS Department
- Complete Firefighter I training (Course Description)
- Complete EMT Training (Course Description)
Memberships Available
- Firefighter/EMT
- Live-In Firefighter/EMT
- Associate Member
- Junior Firefighter/EMT (Ages 16 to 18)
- EMS Only (Emergency Medical Services)
No Experience is required!
Becoming a volunteer is a great way to get experience and training if you are considering pursuing a career with the Fire Department or Emergency Medical Services. Many career fire departments prefer recruits that already have Firefighter I and EMT training.
More than just fires
Today's volunteer fire service does much more than respond to fires. Training is available for vehicle extrication, rope rescue, fire pump operations, hazardous materials technician, and much more through the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute. All training is provided free of charge and we encourage our members to pursue training and professional development.
Live-In Program
We have a newly re-finished bunkroom with immediate openings available. The bunkroom is separated by individual rooms in a dorm-style atmosphere. We also welcome those who are from out-of-state either with or without prior experience.
We are also close to many local colleges:
- University of Maryland
- Less than four miles from UMD
- UMUC
- Bowie University
- Capital College
- Close to local Community Colleges
- Prince George’s
- Montgomery
- Howard
Ask about our live in program today!
Junior Firefighter Program
High-School students between the ages of 16 and 18 are welcome to our Junior Firefighter Program. Anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited from entering a burning building. However, training is permitted and a high-school student can still respond on alarms and provide support on the incident scene. If you have ever wondered what it might be like to be a firefighter, this is a great way to find out. We have had several successful junior firefighters complete all of the required training before they turn 18. As with all areas of student life, school work and grades comes first, and studetns are required to submit report cards to the chief.
Emergency Medical Technician
Not interested in running into a burning building, but still interested in helping people and providing emergency medical care? Then our EMS only program is the right place for you. We have a solid group of EMS only personnel that are dedicated to training and providing quality care. Currently, all new EMTs who graduated MFRI's program come out as Nationally Registered EMTs. Many people use EMS as a springboard to higher medical certifications such as Paramedic, Registered Nurse, and Physicians Assistant.
Benefits
Outside of the personally rewarding feeling of being a volunteer and helping people, there are also other tangible benefits to volunteering.
- State tax breaks
- After three years of service, active members are eligible to receive tax breaks in the state of Maryland. The current tax break is $3,500 annually and increasing.
- Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP)
- After many years of service, volunteer members are eligible to receive annuities.
- Contact us to find out more information on LOSAP.
- College Credits
- Many basic training courses, including Firefighter I and EMT, count as ACE College credits.
- Scholarships
National Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment Video. This video gives a pretty good example of what life is like for volunteer firefighters.
Contact Us
Fill out our Online Application
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