Thank you for visiting our Employment Page!
CALL STAFF POSITIONS
The Williston Fire Department is currently accepting
call staff applications for review in Spring 2023.
See the information below to learn more about membership,
frequently asked questions,
and how to submit an application.
Click here for a Call Staff Application.
Looking to Serve Your Community?
One of the worst days a person can have in their life is when they have to call 9-1-1.
And yet one of the most fulfilling moments in a person’s life
is when they help another in desperate need, especially during an emergency.
The Williston Fire Department answers those calls every day
with both full-time career and part-time call Fire/EMS staff.
For us to better serve our community, we need to build our team with more call staff members.
Call staff lead normal daily lives outside of the Department but
are available to respond to emergencies on an as-needed basis or
come to the station for shifts on a regular basis.
The Fire Department provides training on a schedule that supports
members’ busy lifestyles and personal responsibilities.
Members have no personal costs, as all equipment and training is paid for by the Department,
and they receive an hourly wage when they attend Department training or respond to emergency calls.
No prior training or experience is required
although we do encourage individuals with Fire/EMS certification to apply
and we do allow dual membership with other Departments while serving with WFD.
If you are the type of person that wants to experience that most fulfilling moment of helping a neighbor,
if you wish to be part of a team that will treat you like family,
and do all of this within your own community,
please review the information below and consider submitting an application.
We look forward to hearing from you!
And yet one of the most fulfilling moments in a person’s life
is when they help another in desperate need, especially during an emergency.
The Williston Fire Department answers those calls every day
with both full-time career and part-time call Fire/EMS staff.
For us to better serve our community, we need to build our team with more call staff members.
Call staff lead normal daily lives outside of the Department but
are available to respond to emergencies on an as-needed basis or
come to the station for shifts on a regular basis.
The Fire Department provides training on a schedule that supports
members’ busy lifestyles and personal responsibilities.
Members have no personal costs, as all equipment and training is paid for by the Department,
and they receive an hourly wage when they attend Department training or respond to emergency calls.
No prior training or experience is required
although we do encourage individuals with Fire/EMS certification to apply
and we do allow dual membership with other Departments while serving with WFD.
If you are the type of person that wants to experience that most fulfilling moment of helping a neighbor,
if you wish to be part of a team that will treat you like family,
and do all of this within your own community,
please review the information below and consider submitting an application.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I consider joining the Williston Fire Department?
First and foremost, it is a great way to serve your community.
Williston Fire also focuses on training its members to a high degree of excellence.
The community at Williston Fire is a very strong group known for helping each other out.
Williston Fire also focuses on training its members to a high degree of excellence.
The community at Williston Fire is a very strong group known for helping each other out.
What are the qualifications to join?
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Live within responding distance from the fire station (see below for details).
- Attend our training events that are scheduled every other Monday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
- Complete the Williston Fire Department's orientation program.
- If you have no prior experience, you must begin a Firefighter Level One class within one year of joining the Department. There is no cost for the class, and the Department will provide all gear and equipment needed. Firefighters are exempt from Department training for the duration of the class.
How do I join the Williston Fire Department?
- Fill out the Call Staff Application at the top of this page and submit it using the link below.
- A Department staff member will contact you to give you our current timeline for bringing members onto the Department.
- We will then schedule ride-alongs at the station so you can see what we do and if this is a good choice of work for you.
- You will be scheduled for an interview and a physical agility test.
- Next you will have to get a fit for duty physical and agree to a background check. Both of these are paid for by the Department.
- If approved, you will begin your orientation program (see below for more info).
- After orientation, you will start running calls with the Williston Fire Department.
Can I submit an application to join the Call Staff now?
YES!
Download a Call Staff Application using the link at the top of this page.
You can email your application
HERE
or drop it off at the station.
Download a Call Staff Application using the link at the top of this page.
You can email your application
HERE
or drop it off at the station.
How is the Department structured?
The Williston Fire Department (WFD) is what is referred to as a Combination Department.
It is comprised of both full-time career staff and part-time call staff (also known as 'on-call members'),
all of who provide essential fire, rescue and safety services to the Town of Williston.
It is comprised of both full-time career staff and part-time call staff (also known as 'on-call members'),
all of who provide essential fire, rescue and safety services to the Town of Williston.
What is an on-call firefighter?
The Williston Fire Department has two types of personnel: Career staff and call staff.
Career staff are full-time employees of the Department who work 24-hour shifts every third day.
The Fire Department is their full-time job.
Call staff are part-time employees of the Department who respond to emergencies on an as-needed basis.
Call staff have regular jobs and responsibilities outside of the Department.
They serve for the love of their community, the profession, and for their firefighting family.
Not many other opportunities allow you to make such a positive impact on people.
Career staff are full-time employees of the Department who work 24-hour shifts every third day.
The Fire Department is their full-time job.
Call staff are part-time employees of the Department who respond to emergencies on an as-needed basis.
Call staff have regular jobs and responsibilities outside of the Department.
They serve for the love of their community, the profession, and for their firefighting family.
Not many other opportunities allow you to make such a positive impact on people.
Must I live in Williston to join the Department?
We are currently looking for call staff that live within a reasonable response distance from our station.
This "response zone" is considered either living anywhere in Williston
or living within 10 minutes of the fire station
(determined by a Google Maps search done at low traffic hours of the day).
Individuals who are fully certified as a Firefighter and/or EMT
and who live outside the response zone when they apply
will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
This "response zone" is considered either living anywhere in Williston
or living within 10 minutes of the fire station
(determined by a Google Maps search done at low traffic hours of the day).
Individuals who are fully certified as a Firefighter and/or EMT
and who live outside the response zone when they apply
will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Is prior experience needed to apply?
No. Prior training or experience is not required to apply.
During your first year, you will enroll in a VT Fire Academy Firefighter Level One class.
In addition, our in-house training will make you a valuable asset to the Department
before you complete your Firefighter Level One class.
During your first year, you will enroll in a VT Fire Academy Firefighter Level One class.
In addition, our in-house training will make you a valuable asset to the Department
before you complete your Firefighter Level One class.
What if I have prior experience?
We encourage individuals with prior training or experience to apply
and we do allow dual membership with other departments while serving with WFD.
Please send proof of your certifications, class records and/or grades, with your employment application
which will be reviewed by the WFD Training Officer.
If you meet our interior firefighting training requirements, it will speed up your orientation process
and allow you to respond to calls sooner.
and we do allow dual membership with other departments while serving with WFD.
Please send proof of your certifications, class records and/or grades, with your employment application
which will be reviewed by the WFD Training Officer.
If you meet our interior firefighting training requirements, it will speed up your orientation process
and allow you to respond to calls sooner.
Are call staff members paid or compensated?
Yes. Call staff are part-time employees of the Department who receive
a stipend for shifts along with an hourly wage for calls, training and duty time.
Other benefits include life insurance, accident/sickness coverage, full use of our fitness facility,
annual physicals, free fire training, and the provision of all uniforms.
a stipend for shifts along with an hourly wage for calls, training and duty time.
Other benefits include life insurance, accident/sickness coverage, full use of our fitness facility,
annual physicals, free fire training, and the provision of all uniforms.
What equipment or gear costs will I be expected to pay?
All personal protective equipment and gear associated with fire training and/or response
are fully paid for by the Department.
are fully paid for by the Department.
Does the Williston Fire Department have equal requirements
for entry and training?
Yes. Medical and physical requirements are the same for both
fire and EMS entry and training.
The Williston Fire Department follows OSHA and NFPA standards
and is an equal opportunity employer.
fire and EMS entry and training.
The Williston Fire Department follows OSHA and NFPA standards
and is an equal opportunity employer.
What is the Physical Agility Test?
Every prospective staff member is required to do a physical agility test prior to joining the Department.
These tests ensure members are capable of doing the tasks required of a Firefighter and/or EMT.
Examples include, but are not limited to, pulling hose lines, climbing ladders and carrying heavy objects.
These tests ensure members are capable of doing the tasks required of a Firefighter and/or EMT.
Examples include, but are not limited to, pulling hose lines, climbing ladders and carrying heavy objects.
What is the Orientation Program?
When new staff members join the Department, they go through an introductory 3-day course.
This orientation program is taught by Department staff on weekend days and follows a structured lesson plan.
It is designed to give staff the basic skills they need to operate safely as a member of the Department.
The orientation program includes many hands on drills, including
car accident scenarios where new members get to cut apart cars in a simulated rescue situation.
After orientation is completed, the Department prides itself on giving members access to high quality monthly training,
both in house and out of house, so that members can continue to learn.
This orientation program is taught by Department staff on weekend days and follows a structured lesson plan.
It is designed to give staff the basic skills they need to operate safely as a member of the Department.
The orientation program includes many hands on drills, including
car accident scenarios where new members get to cut apart cars in a simulated rescue situation.
After orientation is completed, the Department prides itself on giving members access to high quality monthly training,
both in house and out of house, so that members can continue to learn.
I am interested in responding to emergency medical calls.
The Department currently has an active EMS component
and individuals with EMS certification are encouraged to apply.
AEMT or Paramedic certification is preferred but not required.
If you come to us without Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification,
we will work on getting you certified as a firefighter before transitioning to EMS.
and individuals with EMS certification are encouraged to apply.
AEMT or Paramedic certification is preferred but not required.
If you come to us without Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification,
we will work on getting you certified as a firefighter before transitioning to EMS.
How many emergencies must I respond to?
Call staff who live within the response zone are expected to respond to 5% of emergency calls per month.
This is an average of 5-10 calls per month.
Members who live outside the response zone are assigned to shifts
which vary in length and number based on the individual's certification level.
More information will be provided during Orientation.
Typically, call staff members willingly respond to about 20% of calls.
While we would like members to help with every call,
we understand that our members all have other commitments and responsibilities.
This is an average of 5-10 calls per month.
Members who live outside the response zone are assigned to shifts
which vary in length and number based on the individual's certification level.
More information will be provided during Orientation.
Typically, call staff members willingly respond to about 20% of calls.
While we would like members to help with every call,
we understand that our members all have other commitments and responsibilities.
How do I respond to emergency calls?
Upon completion of Orientation, call staff members upload an app to their phone and receive a small voice pager.
When the 911 center receives a call for Williston Fire Department, they notify our dispatch agency
who broadcasts the alarm over our voice pagers and uploads it to the app.
Initial alarms have a different tone and channel, which can be monitored to determine the nature and urgency of the call.
When you see/hear the call come in, you decide if you are available to respond.
If you are at work , at a special family event, or trying to get a good night’s sleep before a big day,
you can opt to not respond to the call.
Second alarms, or "working incident tones", are broadcast when a call is determined to be a true emergency,
is urgent in nature and/or additional help is needed.
Working incident tones are important and call staff members are needed!
If you can respond, you will check in on the app, alerting the other staff that you are responding.
You will then drive to the fire station and board the next responding fire engine to the emergency.
Upon return to the station, you will help clean and restock vehicles and equipment, and then everyone is released.
When the 911 center receives a call for Williston Fire Department, they notify our dispatch agency
who broadcasts the alarm over our voice pagers and uploads it to the app.
Initial alarms have a different tone and channel, which can be monitored to determine the nature and urgency of the call.
When you see/hear the call come in, you decide if you are available to respond.
If you are at work , at a special family event, or trying to get a good night’s sleep before a big day,
you can opt to not respond to the call.
Second alarms, or "working incident tones", are broadcast when a call is determined to be a true emergency,
is urgent in nature and/or additional help is needed.
Working incident tones are important and call staff members are needed!
If you can respond, you will check in on the app, alerting the other staff that you are responding.
You will then drive to the fire station and board the next responding fire engine to the emergency.
Upon return to the station, you will help clean and restock vehicles and equipment, and then everyone is released.
What kind of training is involved?
Williston firefighters respond to a variety of calls including building fires, vehicle accidents,
carbon monoxide alarms, brush fires, rescues, and much more.
To prepare for this, all new firefighters go through an orientation training program taught by Department staff.
Williston Fire will also sponsor new members through the VT Fire Academy Firefighter Level One class.
carbon monoxide alarms, brush fires, rescues, and much more.
To prepare for this, all new firefighters go through an orientation training program taught by Department staff.
Williston Fire will also sponsor new members through the VT Fire Academy Firefighter Level One class.
I have more questions.
If you would like more information or to arrange for a station tour, please fill out the short form below.