What is the Grasonville Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD) about?

The GVFD is a Fire and Rescue station comprised 100% of volunteers (unpaid) that predominantly respond to fires, vehicle/equipment accidents, hazardous conditions, and some medical incidents. The station is equipped with fire/rescue trucks but does not have an ambulance or paramedic unit. The Grasonville Volunteer Ambulance Department next door, which is a separate and distinct organization with its own membership cadre, houses and operates the ambulance service in Grasonville, MD. Paramedic units are stationed in nearby areas of Queen Anne County and staffed by paid county employees.

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Would the GVFD want ME?

The GVFD is always looking for volunteers to join its active membership. The GVFD is comprised of active members from teenagers to seniors. While a predominant number of active members are young, members of all ages are welcome. The department does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, age, or sex and opportunities within the organization are equally available to everyone meeting established criteria.

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What are the Membership Types?

• Active (Firefighter) – Firefighting training requirements must be met
• Administrative – No training requirements (non-emergency)
• Support – No training requirements (non-emergency)
• Auxiliary – No training requirements (non-emergency)

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What would I be expected to do as a firefighter?

Once all the minimum training requirements and competencies are met, a firefighter will be expected to perform the complete range of duties expected at a variety of incidents. Active members respond to calls for assistance with saving lives and property. Firefighting & rescue work involves exposure to physical exertion, extreme heat, hazardous atmospheres and conditions, heights, potential risk of injury in performing duties or handling equipment. In addition visual/mental exposure to a variety of potentially dramatic and disturbing scenes in performing duties at fire, rescue, and medical incidents which could involve exposure to blood, dismemberment, and death. Anyone considering becoming a firefighter should evaluate their own physical and mental limitations and give serious consideration to the personal risk involved and, if necessary, discuss any concerns with a member of the membership committee prior to submitting a membership application.

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What are the Physical/Medical Conditions that I must meet?

Firefighting (including rescue work) can be spontaneously physically demanding covering short or prolonged periods. While there currently is no required physical or agility test to become or remain a firefighter, those participating at fire/rescue scenes, training exercises, drills, and performing other non-emergency duties, should be physically fit to the degree that they are able to perform the tasks necessary to accomplish the demands without creating a considerable life safety burden to fellow members or the public to which we serve.

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What are the Membership Requirements?

Prospective Membership:

• Complete and Submit a membership application
• Meet with and discuss the application with a membership committee member
• Successfully pass a Criminal Background Check (Felonies and select misdemeanors may be ground for application rejection)
• Be voted in as a probationary member by the GVFD members at a general membership meeting.
• Serve a probationary membership period of a minimum 6 months
• Be enrolled in a Firefighter I training course prior to the end of the probationary period.
• Be voted in as an active member by the GVFD members at a general membership meeting.

Maintaining Active Membership:

• Active members must attend 10 general membership meetings a year (meetings are held every two weeks on a Monday)
• Completion of Firefighter I

Minimum Training Requirements:

Queen Anne County Fire Department and the GVFD currently require all fire department members who ride fire apparatus and operate at emergency scenes meet the following minimum training requirements.

• Step 1 – Complete a free 24 hour Apparatus Orientation prior to being able to ride on any fire apparatus.
• Step 2 – Enroll in a free Firefighter I training course (Firefighter I is required prior to being able to perform interior firefighting or select other emergency duties)

Additional free advance fire/rescue training is available and members are encouraged to avail themselves of all applicable free training available.

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What are the Membership Benefits?

General benefits:

• Personal enrichment through helping others
• Obtaining skills that boosts self esteem
• Learn teamwork and its rewards
• Enhance ones physical and mental well being
• Make lifelong friendships
• Become part of an extended family (brotherhood)

Potential Benefits from Enhanced Training:

• Free Maryland State and National Professional Certifications (which can help with career opportunities and meeting college degree requirements)
• Free select training offered by the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute (MFRI) awards college credit towards a college degree.
• Greater Career (Paid) Opportunities (with some career training/certification requirements already being met)

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How Do I Join?

Anyone considering being a member should read this page in its entirety and stop by the station at 4128 Main St, Grasonville, MD 21638 to speak to an officer or membership committee member to discuss potential membership, obtain an application (or download the membership application [.pdf format – requires Adobe Acrobat] from this site, complete it and bring it with you), and get the membership process started.

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