Joining AFD

The challenge of time….It would be a lie if we tried to tell you, that volunteering with the fire department wouldn’t take any time. What we want to show you is that the time needed is not as great as you may believe.

When an individual chooses to volunteer with AFD, there are a few steps to be completed.

  1. Step One: fill out and submit an application form. The form can be picked up at Station 1, Penn Ave or we can send it to you via a request through the contact section of this web page.  Once the application form is submitted to AFD, an interview will be conducted, a background check will be completed and a vote by active members will be completed to accept the new member. The application will then proceed to the fire district commissioners where the application will be voted upon by the commissioners.  After the commissioners approve the application then an initial physical will be provide at no cost to the applicant.
  2. Step Two:  this will be the beginning of the biggest training requirement you face. During this time a regular set of training classes will be held in order to teach you the mandatory OSHA and safety classes we need you to have prior to responding to any emergencies.  This effort will take you approx 10hrs of training over 5 weeks (one night a week).
  3. Step Three: after completing the 10hrs of training, we as a department ask that you attend 5 drills in order to begin to learn who everyone is, learn who the leaders are and begin to interact with the rest of the membership.  We operate as a huge team and getting to know each other becomes an important part of what we do. This effort is really up to you and is at your own pace. You could do this in another 5 weeks or spread out the remaining of the year. We encourage you to complete this at your earliest convenience in order to blend yourself into the team as soon as possible. It also is a way to build the team's confidence in your willingness to dedicate your time to the community.

After completing the above few steps you have become a fully active member of the fire department approved to operate on scene as your training allows.

At this point, your time commitment is as follows:

  • All members are required to participate in 12 drill credits per year, with at least 6 drill credits earned January through June and the remaining 6 drill credits earned July through December.
  • Every year there are certain drills that must be attended for Federal, State and OSHA regulation. Along with this is a commitment the last two weeks of May (wed night) and the first weekend of June for support of Field Days.
  • After the above required training and events, it is up to you as to the amount of training you wish to continue with.

At this point, the beginning of your endeavor to become a firefighter qualified to fight on the inside of a structure fire, become an EMT who advances his/her skills to become an Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider or a firefighter available to do whatever is needed has started. This endeavor will allow you to challenge yourself, meet new people, gain a sense of responsibility, cherish the camaraderie and most of all when the call comes, help those who need it the most.

With so many ways to help for so many different reasons, all of us at the Apalachin Fire Department encourage you to stop by the station and ask questions. Most of all consider joining our great organization and begin the steps that without a doubt change your life forever and possibly some else's!