Looking For a Way to Serve the Public? Baker City Police, Fire Want to Hear From You

Fire ‘volunteers’ actually earn a real paycheck

Lt. David Blair, the fire department’s training officer, said there are 10 volunteer firefighters in Baker City.

That’s fewer than half the 25 volunteers the department relied on in 1985.

Blair said the more volunteers the fire department has, the better prepared the department is.

“Twenty is a really good number,” he said.

An open house on Thursday was designed for people who want to visit the fire hall in unintimidating circumstances.

“It’s very daunting to come into the fire station because firefighters tend to be very mystic, so to speak,” he said.

Although volunteer firefighters are described as such to distinguish them from the department’s 13 paid professionals (one of those 13 positions is vacant), the volunteers don’t actually work for free.

“It isn’t really about the pay, though,” he said. “It is a way to be a part of the community.”

Volunteers go out on ambulance calls as well as fires; in fact, the city, which is responsible for both kinds of emergencies, sends out its ambulances far more often than its fire trucks.

Before being hired as a full-time firefighter, Blair served as a volunteer for 14 years.

To qualify as a volunteer firefighter, you must be at least 18, pass a background check with no felony convictions, have a current Oregon drivers license and a good driving record, and complete a timed physical agility test.

The test involves pulling hoses, climbing stairs while hauling hoses, and shuttling tools. The time requirement is 10 to 15 minutes.

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“They have no authority and do not get involved in disputes. They report directly to the Police Department,” Forrester said.

The volunteers can either use a personal cell phone or a radio supplied by the Police Department.

Forrester said COP has been a way that citizens can become more involved and give back to the community.

Like any other position in the police force, there is some level of commitment to volunteering.

Shannon Regan, the Police Department’s community service officer, said volunteers need to commit to at least five hours per week.

“It is a commitment,” she said. “But sometimes people have reasons they can’t do it or have to drop out.”

There are no physical requirements for volunteers — senior citizens and wheelchair users have volunteered in the past. The only requirements are that volunteers be at least 18, can pass a background check with no felony convictions and, according to Forrester, commit to being an ambassador of the community.

He said those interested in volunteering can pick up and return applications at the front desk of the Police Department, 1768 Auburn Ave.

“This is ideal for someone wanting to get into law enforcement,” Forrester said. “We are servants to the community. Being servants should be the foundation of all law enforcement.”