You'll need more than the right shoe size to fill these boots...

It takes a special person to fill the boots of a volunteer firefighter. Someone with a desire to do something important for the community. Someone with courage and dedication, who isn't afraid of hard work, and is willing to accept the challenge of a difficult job. It takes a person who considers respect and appreciation reward enough. And who is just glad to help. If you' re this kind of person you're needed as a volunteer fire fighter. Come down to the firehouse and talk to us. We might be able to fit you with a pair of boots.

Stop by the firehouse on Monday evening or call (860) 243-8949 for more information and to begin the exciting journey of firefighting.

Minimum requirements for application

Persons seeking membership to the Blue Hills Fire District shall reside in or within a reasonable* response distance from the fire district. Response time is more critical then distance as emergency responders. Prospective members who work within the Fire District, but reside outside a reasonable response distance, may also be eligible for membership in the department.

Prospective members must be 18 year of age (16 years for auxiliary members) and be in good health.

Each applicant, prior to becoming a member must pass:

• A physical, by a department appointed physician.
• A urine drug screening process, by a department appointed facility.
• A criminal background review, by the Connecticut State Police.
• Cost for the required test will be paid by the fire department.

Benefits of Membership

Membership has its privilege, first and foremost is the self-satisfaction that you will get out of helping others in time of their greatest need. By joining you have become part of an organization that has a great deal of pride in itself and its accomplishments. You will also become part of a large social network where members become more like an extended family than co-workers.

As a member you can receive;

• Respect from your community.
• To be trained as a firefighter and you’ll develop knowledge and skills few can claim.
• Some of your strongest social ties you’ll ever make will be with your brother and sister volunteers...people who share your commitment and ideals.
• Nothing beats the sense of fulfillment that comes from doing an important job well - while helping your community.

Length of Service Award*

• As an incentive for volunteer firefighter to remain active, a service award program has been established.

Tax Abatement*

• The property taxes of each volunteer firefighter who owes the Town of Bloomfield property taxes for real property and/or motor vehicles owned by such volunteer shall have any real and/or motor vehicle property taxes owed to the Town of Bloomfield by such volunteer abated by $1,000.00.

Training

The Blue Hills Fire Department understands that training and development is a vital part of being a volunteer firefighter. Training is conducted for all volunteers every Monday evening. During this training, volunteers participate in various scenarios and classroom instruction conducted by fellow volunteers and other fire service instructors.

The fire department strongly recommends and will assist volunteers who are interested in attending additional training given by local fire departments or specialized classes in the region.

*Consult Department Standard Operating Guidelines for further clarifications and limits.