Why volunteer?

• Have you ever heard a siren or seen a fire engine - and wondered what was happening?
• Have you ever witnessed or come upon a motor vehicle accident - and wished you could help?
• Are you looking for new friendships, challenges, and rewards?
• Do you want to become involved in your community?

"The personal rewards and satisfaction received from what we do is often beyond description."

The fire service is one of the most diverse and challenging vocations today. It is this diversity that attracts most men and women to join our ranks.

Different people volunteer for different reasons. Action oriented people enjoy the excitement and adrenaline rush that emergency services has to offer. Some see the volunteer fire service as an alternative to "driving a desk by day" - by allowing them to "drive a fire truck at night!"

Many like the feeling they get when they help people in their time of need and some feel it's their obligation to serve the community. Yet others just want to belong to the team. Whatever motivates you to volunteer - everyone gains the self-satisfaction of being at their best when others are dealing with what is often the worst that life has to offer.

Imagine having to prepare yourself to cope with situations that range from structure fires to motor vehicle accidents to hazardous chemical spills or any other imaginable emergency in between. This diversity is coupled with the fact that these skills may be needed at any time of the day or night, seven days a week, in any kind of weather, and very often under potentially stressful and emotional circumstances. Yet these same factors contribute to our profession being so personally rewarding.

The personal rewards and satisfaction received from what we do is often beyond description. The sense of accomplishment when you control a building fire, perform a successful extrication at a motor vehicle accident, and the fulfillment from teaching fire safety.

You will find that participation as a volunteer member of our organization will bring personal rewards and satisfaction, raise self-esteem, and provide you with a tremendous sense of accomplishment and pride for a job well done. It will also provide your community with a valuable service that has the potential to touch us all.

However, service as a member of the Potsdam Fire Department requires a serious commitment. Your decision to submit an application to join our organization should not be made hastily. Once you understand what's involved in being a Potsdam Fire Department volunteer, we hope that you are able to make the commitment we need. The service provided by our volunteers is truly valuable to the citizens, businesses and visitors of our community. We hope that you are able to contribute to our community's public safety.

The bottom line in our business is measured by the loss of life, pain and suffering, and the property damage we have prevented.

Volunteering in the emergency services is one of the most important decisions you may make. We hope that you give this decision the time and serious consideration it deserves, and decide to join our ranks.