San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District
Volunteer Program

     The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District sponsors several volunteer programs, including the Reserve and Volunteer Firefighter Programs, a Communication Support Volunteer Program, a Fire Chaplain Volunteer Program, a CERT Volunteer Program, and a Fire Photographer/Videographer Volunteer Program.  The volunteer programs are designed to augment the District’s Emergency Operations. 

     The District’s volunteer programs provide the opportunity for volunteers to become actively involved in providing assistance and protection to the citizens of the District, and they also provide the opportunity for volunteers to determine if they are truly interested in pursuing the fire service as a career.

Reserve  and Volunteer FIREFIGHTER Program

     The Reserve and Volunteer Firefighter Programs utilize volunteers to respond to emergencies and provide the District with an additional fire company when required. The Reserve Firefighter Program is also utilized to supplement shift coverage or assist in a variety of other capacities as required by the District.  

     The District utilizes trained citizens who are available for responses at any time that calls may occur.  They must be able to work under extreme conditions for extended periods of time.  All equipment and training is provided by the District.

     In order to provide the most specialized and up-to-date training to Reserve and Volunteer Firefighters, all training for the Reserve and Volunteer Firefighter Program is conducted by personnel from throughout the District who are highly trained in various fields. Training takes place at regular drills twice monthly.  Attendance is expected.  Initial Reserve and Volunteer Firefighter training is comprised of a 60 hour indoctrination academy that introduces the Reserves and Volunteers to the policies, procedures, skills, and standard operational methods utilized by the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District.  

     In addition to providing high quality training to Reserve and Volunteer Firefighters, the District also provides Reserve and Volunteer Firefighters with the opportunity to participate in a Ride-Along Program, in which they, under the direction of a Company Officer, are able to utilize their skills and training in actual emergency situations.

The Reserve 60 hour Academy
 

Minimum qualifications for the Reserve and Volunteer Firefighter Programs:

• Reserve Firefighters must maintain a residence within the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, or within a 15 minute radius from the District.
• Volunteer Firefighters (Stations 37 and 40-Morgan Territory) must maintain a residence within 5 miles of Stations 37 and 40.
• Must be eighteen years of age at time of application.
• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License at all times.
• Must be physically able to perform duties and be in good health.
• Must pass a DMV Class B physical subsequent to appointment.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must not have any felony convictions.
• Must pass a standard background check.
   

COMMUNICATION VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

     Similar to the Reserve and Volunteer Firefighter Programs, the Communication Volunteer Program utilizes volunteers to assist the District in responding to emergencies as well as in providing assistance on a more routine basis.  Communication Volunteers are trained to staff the District’s new ICS Type 1 Mobile Communications Support Unit. This state-of-the-art vehicle is designed to perform the duties of a backup communications center as well as to provide on-scene communications and command support. The vehicle is equipped with 4 Dispatch workstations, a planning and conference room, and an area dedicated to technical solutions for interoperability and communications support. 

     Training for the Communication Volunteer Program is provided by District personnel and will include, but not be limited to, familiarization with the policies, procedures, skills, equipment, and standard operational methods utilized by the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District.  Subsequent to the initial training, all Communication Volunteers must attend a minimum of 9 of the 12 training meetings per year and/or make arrangements to obtain, understand, and act upon the information covered in missed meetings.

 Command Stations

Minimum qualifications for the Communication Volunteer Program:

• Communication Volunteers must maintain a residence within the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, or within a 15 minute radius from the District.
• Must have a solid computer and ham/fire radio background.
• Must be eighteen years of age at time of application.
• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License at all times.
• Must be physically able to perform duties and be in good health.
• Must pass a DMV Class B physical subsequent to appointment.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must not have any felony convictions.
• Must pass standard background check.

All interested parties are encouraged to periodically monitor our website for upcoming Communication Volunteer Program recruitments.

FIRE CHAPLAIN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 

     The Fire Chaplain Volunteer Program is designed to provide access to Volunteer Fire Chaplains on a 24 hour basis for all District personnel, volunteers, retirees, and members of the community regardless of their religious affiliation.  This Program is part of the District’s Emergency/Bereavement Assistance Program, and is overseen by the Non-denominational Chaplain Coordinator. 

     The District’s Volunteer Fire Chaplains will offer spiritual guidance and assistance to meet the life needs of all District personnel, volunteers, retirees, their families, and members of the community while maintaining strict confidentiality.  They may be called upon to attend various employee functions, including funerals and weddings, and they may be called upon to care for community victims and/or families impacted by fire or other emergencies.

Minimum qualifications for the Fire Chaplain Volunteer Program:

• Fire Chaplain Volunteers must maintain a residence within the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, or within a 15 minute radius from the District.
• Must be eighteen years of age at time of application.
• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License at all times.
• Must be physically able to perform duties and be in good health.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must not have any felony convictions.
• Must pass a standard background check.

All interested parties are encouraged to contact the Chaplain Coordinator at (925) 838-6617.

CERT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 

    The CERT Volunteer Program is designed to educate the citizens of our community regarding disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact the area and train them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.  The Program strives to provide augmentation to Firefighter and Police personnel responses to major emergencies.

Minimum qualifications for the CERT Volunteer Program:

• CERT Volunteers must maintain a residence within the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (Alamo, Danville, San Ramon).
• Must be at least thirteen years of age at time of application.

All interested parties are encouraged to contact the appropriate CERT Area Leader.  For assistance in identifying your CERT Zone and the assigned CERT Area Leader.
Email:  dbell@srvfire.ca.us

Click here:  more CERT Information 

VOLUNTEER FIRE PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER PROGRAM

     The District utilizes the Fire Photographer/Videographer Volunteer to assist in capturing images from structure fires and accident scenes within the District.  The Fire Photographer/Videographer Volunteer responds to incidents either in conjunction with fire crews or directly from his/her home. The photographs and video footage taken at the scene are used for District training purposes as well as in the generation of District literature. The Fire Photographer/Videographer Volunteer is required to carry a District pager and fire gear and must be available for rapid deployment to incidents as they occur. 

     All interested parties are encouraged to periodically monitor our website for upcoming Fire Volunteer Photographer/Videographer Program recruitments.

The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District is dedicated to providing the highest level of service to our community through both its professional and volunteer programs.  Come and join our pursuit of excellence!

Please email us your interest at: srvfpd@gmail.com

(We will be returning emails when we get ready to test)

Click here:  more CERT Information