Hoodland Fire District swore in seven volunteer firefighters earlier this week in a ceremony marking the end of their probationary periods. The volunteers and their families assembled with other volunteers, career firefighters and district officials for the ceremony at the fire district board meeting. The oath of office was administered by Fire Chief Jim Price and each volunteer had the honor of having a family member pin on their badges. Our newest members are Aaron Beers, Zach Cram, Nate Forrar, Natalie Hanson, Vivianna Perez-Wolfe, Jacob Sale and Nate Seifert. Ceremonies are posted on the fire district’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

All the volunteer firefighters completed their basic firefighting training over the past year and have become certified as a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Firefighter 1. Beyond their structural firefighter training, all the firefighters were trained in hazardous materials response, wildland firefighting and emergency vehicle driving. In all, each volunteer firefighter completed between 250 to 300 hours of training both online and in-person.

Hoodland Fire District has open recruitment of volunteer firefighters’ year round, with a new training “company” starting around October 2024. The fire district also has open recruitment for student firefighters through the end of April. Student firefighters are career-minded young adults who affiliate with HFD and volunteer their time in exchange for training, experience and educational support in pursuit of college degrees in the fire and EMS related fields. Student firefighters receive tuition assistance that includes books and other education expenses. Each position is for two years, with the potential of continuing for a third year to obtain your paramedic degree and certification. Along with the financial assistance all resident students will receive free room and board at our Government Camp Station and a living stipend of $400 a month. More information and applications for either being a volunteer or student firefighter is located on the fire district website www.hoodlandfire.us.