Thank you for your interest in Lafayette Township Fire Department. Below is some information that we believe may be of use to persons considering membership.
FIRE FIGHTING AND EMS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, BUT VOLUNTEERING CAN BE
There is plenty of opportunity to serve your community through the fire and EMS service, and much of it has nothing to do with fire fighting.
Fire and emergency medical services are one of the most challenging professions today. It is this diversity that inspires most men and women to enter the fire and EMS services. This business is not for everyone however. You need more than just desire to help people. You need courage, dedication, assertiveness and a willingness to learn new skills and face new challenges.
The personal rewards and satisfaction received from the fire and emergency medical services are often beyond description. There is a sense of accomplishment after controlling a building fire, joy and elation when a child is born or a life is saved, compassion for accident victims, and fulfillment in teaching fire safety.
If you are looking for a change of pace or excitement in your life, the world of fire and emergency medical services is for you. If this action-filled lifestyle does not appeal to you, have no fear, there is plenty more that can be done in the business of fire and emergency medical services that does not include running into burning buildings or other emergency medical situations.
Our Lafayette Township Firefighter's Association is always looking for help. Running and maintaining a department of our size is time consuming and at times, costly, so the volunteering of your time is something we value. We also maintain a computer system, attend to regular truck and equipment maintenance, as well as tending to fundraising, banquets, memorial services, member activities, parades, and a full menu of things that need to be done by the association members.
What does it take to be a member?
A lot of our members at Lafayette Township Fire Department have entered the department with no previous fire or EMS experience. LTFD members pride themselves on a strong foundation of training that begins on the first day. While formal training to ride is eventually required, new members are able to ride in a limited capacity after receiving basic in-house training.
Initial formal fire training consists of the Essentials of Firefighting class taught through one of the area's colleges such as the University of Akron, Cuyahoga Community College, or Bryant & Stratton. Students receive instruction in theories of fire behavior and suppression, forcible entry, ventilation, property salvage, basic hazardous materials training, as well as first aid and CPR. Most of the class is hands-on and successful completion results in National Certification as a Firefighter. Similar to this, emergency medical training is also available through similar avenues. Upon completing the necessary coursework, members are welcome to take additional specialty classes that are applicable to our operations that interest them. Such classes include EMS special topics instructor, CPR instructor, motor vehicle rescue, rope rescue, hazardous materials, and firefighting operations.
Perhaps the most important aspect of our training comes from our monthly competency nights which are held the second and third Tuesday night of each month from 7-9pm.
If any of this at all interests you and you are over the age of 18 with a high school diploma, please feel free to contact us by filling the form out below or stop on by and we will be more than happy to explain what we're all about.
