- 1). Contact your state or local fire department. If you don't know the number, visit the website of your state government, which should have a link to the fire department for your state. Most departments have emergency and non-emergency volunteers. Explain that you would like to volunteer for emergency situations.
- 2). Verify that you are eligible. Requirements vary across the country, though most departments require that you are at least 18 years old, have a clean driving record, have perfect vision and live within a certain designated area.
- 3). Complete the volunteer training, which varies from state to state. Some departments require that you train for 60 hours; some departments require double that. Make sure you can do things like climb a ladder and drag 100 pounds of dead weight at least 50 feet or more.
- 4). Prepare for the physical examination. While they vary across the U.S., many ask you to sprint 40 yards and back several times and without becoming winded. Practice sprinting daily, and practice running up and down stairs while carrying a 30-pound pack. Pair this with general strength training, such as sit-ups and push-ups.
- 5). Get certification for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Some fire departments will provide this certification as part of the training; others will require you to get it on your own. You can do this online by visiting cprtoday.com or CPRAEDCourse.com or CPRandFirstAid.net.
- 6). Make yourself reachable at all times. If you don't have a cell phone, get one. Alternatively, you can get a pager designated just for your local fire department. Carry your cell phone or pager with you at all times.
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