About the Volunteer Fire & EMS Service
The fire and EMS service is one of the most diverse and challenging vocations today. It is this diversity that attracts most men and women to join our ranks.
Different people volunteer for different reasons. Action oriented people enjoy the excitement and adrenaline rush that emergency services has to offer. Some see the volunteer fire service as an alternative to ‘driving a desk by day’ – by allowing them to ‘drive a fire truck at night!’
Many like the feeling they get when they help people in their time of need and some feel it’s their obligation to serve the community. Yet others just want to belong to the team. Whatever motivates you to volunteer – everyone gains the self-satisfaction of being at their best when others are dealing with what is often the worst that life has to offer.
Imagine having to prepare yourself to cope with situations that range from structure fires to childbirth to hazardous chemical spills to heart attacks to almost any imaginable emergency in between. This diversity is coupled with the fact that these skills may be needed at any time of the day or night, seven days a week, in any kind of weather, and very often under potentially stressful and emotional circumstances. Yet these same factors contribute to our profession being so personally rewarding.
We realize that firefighting & EMS is not for everyone, but we believe that volunteering can be. There is plenty of work to be done on or behind the scene – including running the business of the CVFD.
The personal rewards and satisfaction received from what we do is often beyond description. There is the sense of accomplishment when you control a building fire, joy and elation when a child is born, compassion for accident victims, and fulfillment from teaching fire safety.
The bottom line in our business is measured by the loss of life, pain and suffering, and the property damage we have prevented and reduced.
Volunteering in emergency services is one of the most important decisions you may make. We hope that you give this decision the time and serious consideration it deserves, and decide to join our ranks.
The Benefits
The Firehouse Family
When you walk in the door of the CVFD, you’ll be home. You are not just a volunteer with a great organization with an important mission serving the community. You’ll find a second family waiting for you. Give back to your community in the process — neighbors helping neighbors.
Unmatched Experience
The CVFD has engines, rescue, squad, and tower that responds to emergency medical services and fire calls nearly six hundred times annually. Located in Kanawha county, surrounded with the largest population and the state’s capital, the CVFD is a great fire department with a wide array of emergency responses.
Best in Class Training
Whether you have tons of fire/ems experience or a rookie fresh to public safety, we offer numerous basic to advanced fire, rescue, EMS and leadership courses through county, state and federal programs as well as our own. These courses are free of charge to active members of the department and offer opportunity for progression through our operational roles and ranks.
Retirement & Tax Incentives
You may be a volunteer but that doesn’t mean there are not financial incentives. Active members with a volunteer fire department in the state of West Virginia receive a $1000+ tax credit for their participation.
Flexible Memberships
As firm believers in the concept that volunteers should be “good at a few things instead of poor at a lot,” – we offer the most flexible membership opportunities available. You can join Clendenin VFD to just perform a specialized function or you can get involved in all of the volunteering opportunities we have to offer. Our members come from our community and throughout the region thanks to our robust offering of response services and family & friends atmosphere. Plus, scheduling is also a breeze with online calendars and shift schedules that ensure you balance your job, family and the CVFD.