Airway Heights department needs volunteer firefighters

The application period to become a volunteer firefighter in Airway Heights is open and the city needs the help. People can apply either online or in person at the fire station located at 1208 South Lundstrom St. The deadline to apply for the next academy is Aug. 5.

"I have 35 volunteers right now," Mitch Metzger, the Airway Heights fire chief said. "But really I would love to have 75."

There is no background on firefighting needed to apply. The way the hiring process works is that there will be a general aptitude written test, kind of like the Armed Sources Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) that the military gives. The next step will be a physical agility test, questions from the board of other fellow volunteer firefighters, a background check then to top it off, a medical physical.

Once the applicant gets through those steps, the academy will start Sept. 6 and go until mid-December. The training will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 – 10 p.m. and Saturdays 8 – 5 p.m. After completion, the trained firefighter will start right away. Eventually, the volunteer will also go to EMT class in January.

"I started volunteering because I was not exactly satisfied with my day job," Christian Frank, a firefighter for one and a half years said. "Here I get to learn new skills and help my community. It is the best thing I have ever done. It is extremely rewarding."

The volunteers cover 6 p.m. – 6 a.m. shifts, Monday through Friday, and the weekends. There are usually about 10 – 12 people in every academy, but the department also loses that many every year.

"It is a unique job," Frank added. "There are new challenges every day and you get top notch training. There are not two days that are the same."

The station is mostly run by volunteers, as there are only four paid positions. But once a paid position opens up, volunteers are able to apply.

"It is a good gateway into their career field," Metzger said. "We are able to give back to the community. Every day I look forward to coming to work. I get to come and help people and make their days."

For more information or to apply, visit the department's website at http://www.cawh.org/departments/fire-department.

Grace Pohl can be reached at grace@cheneyfreepress.com.