Fire Chief: Dale Andreae 715-820-2735 Assistant Chief: Kyle Steliga 715-657-0245 605 Spruce Street Prentice, WI 54556 MISSION STATEMENT The Prentice Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance service provides emergency fire, medical, rescue, and disaster services with prevention services to the homes, commercial businesses, manufacturing plants, farms, and people who live, work and travel through our county. ABOUT & HISTORY The Prentice Volunteer Fire Department is a village- and township-owned organization directed by a Joint Fire Board. It covers 250 square miles, and serves the Village of Prentice and the Towns of Prentice, Hackett, and Knox. When other departments request help, we respond into neighboring jurisdictions under a mutual aid agreement with other agencies. Fire protection began in Prentice in 1900. It was provided by the New York Leather Company Tannery and possibly the Jump River Lumber Company sawmill fire brigades. The official organization of the Prentice Volunteer Fire Department took place on July 24, 1905. The fire departments’ first fire barn was on Center Street and used teams of horses for moving their fire buckets, ladders, hose reels, and fire fighting equipment. In the 1930s, the village fire department had their first fire truck, which carried fire equipment, buckets, a hose, and ladders. In 1968, the Prentice Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance Service was officially formed. The two ambulances served 500 square miles for the Villages of Prentice, Kennan, & Catawba, and Townships of Kennan, Prentice, Hackett, Knox, Catawba, Ogema, Spirit, Hill, & Georgetown. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES We offer a variety of opportunities to serve, each with a high level of satisfaction. Whether you serve as a firefighter, emergency medical technician, or support member, few opportunities in life can match the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a difference in the lives of others. The department accepts applications from adults regardless of gender, race, religious, or sexual preference. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid driver’s license, and pass a criminal background check. Applicants desiring to be firefighters and/or EMTs should be able to handle the physical requirements and demands of the job. Applications are available at 605 Spruce Street or can be mailed to you upon request. If, upon the review of your application, you are determined to be eligible, a member of our Membership Committee will contact you to schedule an interview. From there, the committee will decide whether to offer you a position. New members are brought onto the department with probationary status. The requirements to complete your probation will be fully explained to you during your orientation but include required training and proficiency evaluations. EMT trainees and first responders will take the EMT-Basic course through the local technical college. EMT-Basic is a one semester class consisting of two 4-hour classes per week. Firefighter trainees will take the Entry Level Firefighter class, which is also offered through the technical college. After successfully completing your probationary period and training, you will become a full-time member. Ongoing Training and Meetings Members are required to attend monthly meetings and Fire/EMS drills once or twice a month in the evenings starting at 6:30 p.m. and lasting one to two hours. The meeting/drills/training sessions are mandatory for all members unless excused by the officers of the department. Additional training opportunities are occasionally offered on weekends and through the local technical college. Other information, classes and seminars are also available through a variety of professional fire and EMS organizations such as the Wisconsin EMS Association and State Fire Chiefs’ Association. Committees & Community Outreach Other opportunities for members to participate include involvement in numerous internal and external committees and teams. Members are asked to participate in fire prevention and public education outreach efforts. In past years, funds raised through these efforts have purchased rescue equipment, public education equipment, and firefighting tools. Support members fill many of the “behind the scenes” roles in our department. Through their dedication and contributions, support members help ensure that administrative work, record keeping, public information, marketing, and many other duties are completed professionally and efficiently. Support staff play a critical role in making everything function so we can all fulfill our mission. Frequently Asked Questions for Potential Applicants • Is the Prentice Volunteer Fire Department fully volunteer? Yes and no. Our membership consists of “volunteers” who dedicate their time for training and calls. Volunteers can respond to calls at any time, 24/7. The Prentice Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance Service is a paid, on-call service; EMTs and drivers are paid for the emergency runs. • What types of incidents does the volunteer fire department and EMS respond to? We respond to just about every type of emergency imaginable, including residential; commerical; manufacturing; structure fires; mutual aid calls; car fires; forest, brush, and trash fires; logging; hunting; farming; manufacturing; medical emergencies; motor vehicle accidents; carbon monoxide incidents; and alarm activations. We respond to calls at all hours every day of the year. • How many calls does the volunteer department and EMS receive? Yearly, we have responded to over 200+ combined calls for EMS and/or fire with the most calls being for EMS. The runs or calls are few, although some days are busier than others. • Is the department looking for any more firefighter volunteers, EMTs, first responders, or ambulance drivers? Yes, we are actively seeking new people to join the ranks of our current members. We are looking for people interested in becoming firefighters, EMTs, first responders, ambulance drivers, or anyone who wants to help out in any way they can. • Why should I volunteer? What’s in it for me? You will get back what you put into this position. As a department, we will invest in you by providing you with equipment, training, facilities, and welcome you into our “family.” As a member, you will be expected to invest in yourself by completing the required training, taking your responsibilities seriously, and giving back to the community. If you put forth a solid effort and commit to being a dedicated member, the rewards and satisfaction are great. Frankly, if you put forth a minimal effort, your experience will not be as rewarding. • If I’m really busy with kids and other commitments, how could I commit the time? The time commitment is definitely something to consider. It seems everyone is busier than ever nowadays, and the men and women of the Prentice Volunteer Fire Department are no exception. We all have jobs, most of us have families, some are retired, and some of us are attending school. But we’re all able to find a few hours each week to devote to the department. With more members, we can all shoulder the workload. • What if I don’t fit in? Our members come from all walks of life. We have men and women, college students, young single people, husbands & wives, parents, (single parents, too), and even a few grandparents as members. We have professionals with graduate degrees, business owners, and “blue collar guys” in the department. Our organization prides itself in its professionalism and no longer subscribes to the “good ol’ boys’ club” mentality. The old stereotypes of a volunteer fire department aren’t accurate in Prentice. • What are the requirements to be a volunteer firefighter, EMT, first resonder, or driver? You must be at least 18 years of age, of good moral character, be a resident of the district, and be physically capable of performing the duties of a firefighter, EMT, first responder, or ambulance driver. • What is it like to be a volunteer firefighter or EMT? Anything you saw in the movies or on TV is pretty much wrong. If you are expecting instant glory, fame, fortune, or hero status, you may be disappointed. If you expect to pay your dues, train hard, and learn your craft, the satisfaction, experience, and respect of your peers will follow. It can be dangerous, but we go to great lengths to train to do things properly and safely rather than rushing in with a cavalier manner. Sometimes it is exciting and sometimes it is not. • What is being a probie like? It’s a time to learn the basics about firefighting and the EMS department, and there’s a lot to learn. You’ll get your hands dirty, and you’ll be doing some not-so-glamorous work like cleaning and rolling hose, cleaning the emergency medical equipment, and preparing the emergency equipment for the next emergency. It’s a time to pay your dues and show the members of the department what you’re made of. But, don’t worry, there’s nothing demeaning or humiliating about it, and you’ll already be making a very real contribution to the department. • I’d like to help, but I really don’t think being a volunteer firefighter or EMT is for me. Are there other opportunities? Yes, we have a support division made up of dedicated individuals who help in many areas. We are always looking for volunteers to help out “behind the scenes” with a myriad of duties, including: • Public relations & public information • Public and school education • Computer and administrative duties • Fire station guided tours • Grant writing and photography • I think I’d like to be a volunteer firefighter and//or EMT, but I’m not sure. How can I find out more? We want to give you all the information you need to help you make your decision. If you still have unanswered questions about volunteer membership, contact any firefighter or EMT, the fire station office at 715-428-2129, or the village clerk at 715-428-2124. You can stop in at the station on Spruce Street and Railroad Avenue when you see people there. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and show you around the firehouse. Chances are there’s a friend or neighbor of yours there. Give one of them a call, and they’ll be happy to speak to you about the department. • How do I apply and become a probationary member? You can contact the department for an application form. Please fill the application out completely and provide any supporting documents such as existing certifications or previous relevant experience. If, upon the review of your application, you are determined to be eligible, a member of the Membership Committee will contact you to schedule an interview. From there, the committee will decide whether to offer you a position. Thank you for your consideration to serve your community.