Thank you for your interest in membership in the Fire Island Pines Volunteer Fire Department. Being a firefighter in the Pines is both rewarding and challenging. Rewards include being part of a dedicated team that always looks out for one another; participating in your first search and rescue drill with your company; responding to your neighbors' emergencies, and having friends thankful that you are there to help and protect them and their property from the destructive force of fire. Challenges are ever present: your first class at the Fire Academy; a drill on wild fires here in the Pines; responding to your first alarm and remembering to remain calm and clear headed, following directions and making quick decisions. You will be tested constantly, because we are the “first responders.” Our community is all about rest, relaxation, social events, and recreational activities. Volunteering your time on a warm summer day while everyone else is at the beach, responding to an alarm in the middle of a dinner party, and foregoing the dance party because we've been called to assist a neighboring fire department are all further tests of your decision to become a firefighter. Ultimately, your own sense of personal satisfaction will be the reinforcement that you've made the right choice.
Your first year as a Probationary Member will require a big time commitment. It is during this first year that you learn the fundamentals of firefighting. The basic skills and techniques you will learn ensure that you can not only respond to any fire emergency, but that your safety and the safety of your team are paramount.
This application is the first step toward the most satisfying and successful community service you will ever provide.
If at any time through the application process you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached by email at DeptChief@fipfd.org. You can also click on the next link on this section to learn more about joining or to begin the process.
Good luck, I look forward to speaking to you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Chief Kyle Merker