Volunteering in one of the nation’s best fire and rescue systems is a uniquely rewarding experience, but one that is also very demanding in terms of time, training, and eligibility. Applicants must meet certain strict requirements to be considered eligible for membership, and active volunteers are expected to fulfill several participatory, certification, and compliance requirements to remain involved.

To be considered eligible for membership, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or current legal resident with at least 24 months of U.S. residency (documentation may be required)
• Successfully pass a background investigation
• Meet the minimum age requirement for the volunteer department you wish to join (for most departments, the minimum age is 18; however, the Vienna, Centreville, and Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Departments accept 16 and 17-year-olds as junior members)
• The FCVFRA also recommends that you plan to live locally for at least 3 years, given the considerable time involved in training to become a competent volunteer

The participatory requirements for members differ for operational and administrative members. While each volunteer department has its own policies for members’ participation, at a minimum, operational volunteers are expected to:

• Pass an annual Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department physical
• Volunteer at least 20 hours each month
• Complete a minimum of 48 hours of training each year (including mandatory recertifications)

Many departments will also require attendance at regular departmental meetings and participation in administrative functions (e.g., fundraising).

For more information about volunteer requirements, contact the recruiting division of the volunteer department you would like to join.