Volunteer Firefighter

About the role

Under the direction of the Fire Chief, Volunteer Firefighters protect life and property by responding to emergency situations including fires, rescues, and other incidents.

Responsibilities

• Respond to fire and emergency calls.
• Assist with medical emergencies.
• Deploy hoses and ladders; operate pumps and booster lines.
• Use extinguishing agents, ventilation techniques, and firefighting tools as appropriate.
• Rescue and evacuate individuals from fires and other emergency situations.
• Conduct salvage operations and mitigate further damage to structures.
• Operate under stressful conditions while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
• Use forcible entry techniques such as breaking glass, doors, windows, walls, or gates.
• Cutting locks or bars using appropriate safety gear and equipment.
• Participates in regular drills, demonstrations and training programs.
• Clean, inspect, and maintain fire apparatus, tools, and protective gear.
• Assist in refueling vehicles and restocking equipment and vehicles post-incident.
• Respond to specialized emergency calls, including hazardous materials and confined space rescues.
• Work collaboratively in a team under the direction of officers.
• Maintain required certifications and licenses per department policy and state/federal regulations.

Requirements

• Basic understanding of firefighting principles, techniques, and tools.
• Familiarity with building construction, fire behavior, and basic electrical/fire codes.
• Familiarity with city street layouts, major landmarks, and key commercial or industrial sites.
• Knowledge of emergency rescue and firefighting equipment.
• Knowledge of and ability to properly use required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately and quickly.
• Ability to think clearly and act decisively under pressure.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Must reside within ten (10) minutes of the New Ulm Fire Station driving under normal driving conditions and posted speed limits.
• Must pass a background check, physical exam, and drug screening.
• Completion of the following within the specified timeframe:
  • Firefighter 1001 Essentials course - within 8 months.
  • FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) courses 100, 200, and 700 - within 12 months.
  • Advanced First Aid and CPR certification - within 24 months.
  • Accredited Firefighter I and II certification - within 12 months.

Skills

• Physical ability to lift and carry 0-50 pounds regularly.
• Physically able to lift and carry 50-100 pounds regularly.
• Maintains strict confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to operate emergency vehicles in varied situations.

Benefits

• $8,000 pension per year of service.
• Members must serve a minimum of 10 years to become vested.
• The vested level at 10 years of service is 60%, increasing 4% every year after that until the member is 100% vested at 20 years of service ($160,000).
• You must ensure you make 45% of fire calls and 65% of meetings/trainings.
• Volunteer firefighters also receive $15 per call, which is paid out at the end of the year.

Pay

• $8,000 pension per year of service.

Schedule

• Interviews will be conducted in September 2026.

Conditions of Employment

• Must meet medical standards and be able to wear SCBA.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Must reside within ten (10) minutes of the New Ulm Fire Station driving under normal conditions and posted speed limits.
• Must pass a background check, physical exam, and drug screening.
• Completion of the following within the specified timeframe:
  • Firefighter 1001 Essentials course - within 8 months.
  • FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) courses 100, 200, and 700 - within 12 months.
  • Advanced First Aid and CPR certification - within 24 months.
  • Accredited Firefighter I and II certification - within 12 months.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly requires standing, walking, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling and lifting.
• Frequent exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to vibration, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus and exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
• Frequent exposure to working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather) and exposure to extreme heat (non-weather).
• Occasionally requires wet, humid conditions(non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock and working with explosives.

Supplemental Questions

1. Yes
2. No
3. No
4. No
5. No
6. No
7. Required