Godfrey Fire Protection District

Firefighter Recruitment

Are you ready for the challenge?

            Being a Firefighter for the Godfrey Fire Protection District is a rewarding and life-changing experience.  To earn the title of Firefighter, you must put forth great commitment.  For over sixty years, men and women have dedicated their time and effort to provide first class fire protection and emergency services to the community.  Now you have an opportunity to become one of the select few that is ready to make the call.

About the Godfrey Fire Protection District

            The fire district proudly protects over 17,000 people and covers over 38 square miles.  GFPD is a combination department that has both full time paid and paid on call firefighters.  We operate out of two stations that are manned twenty-four hours a day.  Our apparatus includes three pumpers, a 100ft. ladder tower, a tanker, light rescue, two brush trucks, and a support vehicle.   The district receives over 1400 calls a year.  A great deal of these are for emergency medical services, while other calls involve firefighting operations, hazardous materials incidents, motor vehicle accidents, and other various emergencies.

Questions and Answers about paid on call Firefighter Recruitment

Q. “What are the requirements to become a Probationary paid on call Firefighter ?”

  A. The basic requirements are listed below:

           ▪ Minimum of eighteen (18) years of age

           ▪ High school diploma or GED

           ▪ Valid driver license  

           ▪ Be prepared to commit the necessary time and effort involved in being a POC firefighter

           ▪ Be able to pass a medical physical and an initial physical fitness test

   Q. “Is there anything else that will make me a more attractive candidate?"                        
  A. Yes, there are several things you can do to make yourself a more attractive candidate?

            ▪ Possess a valid first aid/CPR certificate                                                                       

            ▪ Have previous public safety experience

            ▪ Have Firefighter II and or EMT-B certifications                                                               

            ▪ Be available for daytime responses

            ▪Have a positive attitude

  Q. “How much time will I be expected to contribute?”   

A.  Probationary members are required to attend twenty-two probationary training sessions. These classes usually last from three to eight hours.  From the start, you will be able to respond to the fire station when your pager goes off.  You will learn to operate as a dispatcher and get to know everyone.  Upon completion of approximately six drill sessions, you will be scheduled for a minimum of two duties a month.  On duty you will remain at the station and work along side the paid firefighters.  Duties can be scheduled for days (0700-1600) or nights (1800-0700).  The times are negotiable.  Upon completion of probationary training, you will be required to complete yearly training which is less time consuming, when compared to probationary training.

Q. “Am I expected to attend all emergency calls?”  
A. No. It is understood that there will be times when a POC is unavailable to answer a call. As a POC we ask that when you are available for a call, respond.  When you respond, you will be increasing valuable manpower for the call. When multiple calls occur, manpower resources are stretched thin.  This is where POC response is vital. 

Q. “I am not around all the time, or I work shift work, or at times I would just not be available to respond to calls or attend the training sessions. Does this pose a problem?”
A. No. Most of our POC firefighters also have times when they are not available for calls.  As a POC firefighter, we realize you have other commitments.  The administration of the fire district monitors individual response participation very closely.  Occasionally, if a member is not very active or does not attend many of the calls, they could be asked to step down from their position as a POC firefighter. This does not happen very often. We realize that your family and work   comes first; all we ask is that you make an honest effort to attend as many functions and calls as possible.

Q. “What training will I get as a POC firefighter?”
A.  There are many areas that you will be trained in.  Your training will be hands-on and real world.  From the burn tower, to auto extrication, you will be exposed to almost every facet of the fire service.  Other training will include:

         ▪ use of self contained breathing apparatus 
         ▪ search & rescue 
         ▪ radio communications 
         ▪ the structure of command 
         ▪ basic pump operations 
         ▪ tower operations 
         ▪ hose laying and loading 
         ▪ driving fire apparatus

         ▪ fire prevention

         ▪ hazardous materials recognition

         ▪ ladder rescues

         ▪ chemistry of fire

         ▪ and much more

Q. “What are the benefits of being a POC firefighter with GFPD?”

A.  There are many benefits that come with being a POC firefighter at Godfrey.  The satisfaction of helping people is the biggest benefit. 

Other benefits include:

         ▪ Membership in the Godfrey Firefighter’s Association

         ▪ Membership in the Madison County Firemen’s Association

         ▪ Madison County Firemen’s Association Pension Plan

         ▪ Opportunity to attend excellent specialized training on a county, state, and federal level

         ▪ Tuition reimbursement for college level fire science or EMS classes (once qualified)

         ▪ If you have the desire to become a paid firefighter, almost all of GFPD’s paid firefighters were once volunteers

         ▪ Earning the title, firefighter, and the honor and respect of being a part of the Fire Service

Q. “I’d like to get an application, what do I do next?”

A. Come by either station to pick up an application.  If you have more questions feel free to call.

Godfrey Fire Protection District

PO Box F

Godfrey, IL 62035

         ▪ Station 1

            6011 Godfrey Road

            466-0131

         ▪ Station 2

            1712 West Delmar

            466-2331 

         The path to become a qualified firefighter is neither quick, nor easy.  Eventually, the hours of training, studying, and hard work will pay off.  Once you become a qualified firefighter, you will continue to sharpen your skills and become an integral part of the Godfrey Fire Protection District.  The knowledge, skills and abilities you will receive, will stay with you forever.

 Accept the challenge!