Randolph Township Fire Department

Main Navigation

Become a Member


What Firefighting is All About

Firefighting is one of the most honorable jobs a human being may embark upon. With a foundation upon a military structure, a firefighter is a role model, a public friend, a property and a life saver, and a respected member of their community. When a person is in danger they will seek one who has strength, courage, and empathy; a firefighter lends their hand offering this. In many ways firefighters have always been the hallmark of these values and in addition, those whom we turn to for the preservation of life. It takes the some of finest of individuals in order to embrace these values from all walks of life. Courage to face some of man's greatest dangers, in order protect another exercises some of the finest qualities a human being has, builds them stronger, and expresses them in the finest way. When people are running out of a burning building, we, as firefighters are running in. We do it not because its fun, not for the glamor, and not because it's cool. We do this because we are firemen. Preserving a tradition since our founding fathers, we save the lives of others. We do it for the deeper meaning behind the stature, to make a difference and to protect. We never do it alone, we only work as a team; a team of acquired brothers (and sisters), coming from all walks of life, and aside from our every-day jobs within society. Although we are unified, every individual from within makes a difference. We have young men just turning 18, and we have the men who show us the way after 50 years of experience. When many within a group comes together with this mindset, we call it a family, a tradition, a passion...We call it The Fire Department. 

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but knowing there is something more important and acting upon it" 

-John Albanese. (Randolph Fire Department, Firefighter)


Discovering Values

Becoming a firefighter will introduce you to a whole new set of respected values. You will: 

  •        Find courage within yourself
  •        Learn teamwork
  •        Helping another
  •        Finding selflessness
  •        Growing as a person
  •        Maturity
  •        Discover the role model figure within you

What It Takes

Being a firefighter takes a lot of hard work an discipline. However you have it in you if you can say you have these values, or acknowledge you wish to strengthen these areas of your life:

  •        The will to make a difference
  •        The will to help others
  •        Courage 
  •        Ability to be a role model
  •        Ability to be a part of a team

 

Our job isn't always glorious either. We don't fight fires every single day. The way Hollywood depicts firefighting a little bit different than the way it really is. Although, there is definitely truth to every fire movie. Even on occasion there have been incidents where they were more exciting than what Hollywood could ever imagine!

 

What You Get In Return

This job is also very rewarding! In return for becoming a firefighter you will strengthen these areas in your life:

  •        Discipline
  •        Structure
  •        Becoming a role model
  •        Appreciation for life and property
  •        Respect
  •        Strength
  •        Becoming part of a brotherhood
  •        Knowledge
  •        Training
  •        Wisdom
  •        Passion

The Process of Joining

  You can contact us for any question on which firehouse you would be assigned to. It will be the one that is closest to where you live. 

  1. Show up to your local firehouse on a Monday night around (1900 - 2100 hours) 7pm - 9pm
  2. Fill out your application
  3. You will be assissted on going to town hall with an appointment for an interview with the department chief
  4. Background Check will take place
  5. You will be assigned your new firehouse (the one closest to your home)
  6. You will be introduced to your officers and current members
  7. Fire turnout gear issed and fire pager to wear on your belt
    1. You will be issued probationary member tags (yellow in color)
  8. You will now be considered a probationary member

Now you receive a yellow probationary tag

This doesn't mean that you can go inside of a burning or any other hazardous areas yet, although you will still be very important on the fire-grounds! You will be assisting outside of the 'hot zone' first, gaining valuable experience with tasks. You will also be training like everyone else on Monday nights. For 6 months you will have the chance to prove yourself. 

Attend as many Monday night meetings as possible, but if you can't make it we still appreciate whatever time you do give. When you pager goes off at any other time you will respond to the firehouse (following all traffic laws).

New Jersey State Law says nothing about firefighters being allowed to go over the speed limit, pass cars in the opposite lane, run stop signs and red lights in their personal vehicles!

When you get to the firehouse you will put on your gear and respond in the fire truck. You will assist on how your company trains you. You can't drive to the scene in your own vehicle.

You may try and sign up for fire academy (Firefighter 1). Once you pass fire school, you will be issued a green tag.This means you are allowed to enter the 'hot zone' or go inside structure fires. After your 6 month period you will be voted in as a full member and get access to the building.

You then can apply for a blue light permit. This still does not give you the right to break any traffic laws. It is a courtesy light. That means that you are making other drivers aware you are going to an incident, it doesn't mean you can force them off the road! Click here to view NJ Traffic Laws in accordance to Blue Lights.


You are now a full member.

Is Firefighting in Randolph Right For You?

The youngest a person may join the fire department is 18 years of age. Ethnicity, and gender make no difference. If you want to make a difference and be a firefighter, you are important no matter what! You do not need to be already trained. If you have no prior experience, we will put you through school for no charge! The town appreciates it's volunteers, and therefore pays for their education to protect its town. If you have gone through fire academy already, you will need your certifications in paper form to present to the department chief. They will make the decision if it is equivalent to our firefighter 1 certification (to be an interior attack firefighter).

Fire Academy

Before fire academy, you may only assist interior firefighters and fire apparatus operators. This means that you cannot enter the 'hot zone'. In other words, you may not enter structure fires or any other possible hazardous conditions. You must stay by the trucks and only assist in getting tools, or connecting fire hydrants to the firetruck. It is only until you complete the fire academy course that you can enter houses and other incidents with hands-on assistance. Until then you will be issues a yellow tag.

Link to Morris County Firefighter Academy 

Firefighter 1 is essential to become an interior attack firefighter. This is a 150 hour course that includes classroom time, and fireground practical time. The minimum age requirement is 18 years old. You will be trained on the basics of how to become a firefighter. You will take tests, and you will also practice going into the burn building. The burn building is a fire controlled building that the instructors can literally set on fire. You will be put in situations where you have to put it out!

Junior Firefighter 1 is a new program provided by the Morris County Firefighter Academy. This program is designed for volunteer firefighters who are under the age of 18, and over the age of 16. It is still a 150 hour course that is almost exactly the same to firefighter 1. Parental consent is needed. Although you are under the age of 18, this course is still as rigorous as the adults version. 

 Upon completion of this course, you will be given a green tag. This means that you are a certified firefighter! You will receive a diploma from the fire academy, which means you have just begun your journey to being a true firefighter. You will be able to 'pack up'. In other words, you will be able to now enter houses that pose a threat (working fire, carbon monoxide, automatic fire alarm, etc.) Entering these houses requires you to wear an air pack, hence the word 'packing up'.

 Training doesn't stop there! There are many other courses that are essential for you to take. Although, these courses are not as long and rigorous as firefighter 1. Some only take a day, and other classes take a week. By your third year, and keeping up with certifications and classes you will have an entire wall filled with diplomas and certifications!

  

Difference Between Volunteer and Career Firefighting

There is barely a difference! There is this general misconception that paid firefighters are "real" firefighters. Volunteer firefighters do the exact same job, wear the exact same gear, train the exact same way, and perform the exact same tasks. The only difference is that paid firefighters are paid to stay at their station for a certain amount of time, and MUST go to every call they are dispatched to in that time period

 Volunteer firefighters are given a pager to wear on their belt. They can go about their everyday lives. When there is a firecall, whether it be a fire alarm or the biggest structure fire the county has seen, the pager alerts them. It is THEIR choice to respond. If they are feeling ill, or busy they do not need to respond. They wont get in trouble for it!

 So overall, the only difference is that volunteer firefighters do it for free on their spare time, and are not required to respond, while paid firefighters are paid and have an obligation to respond during their shift. That's it!

 "The funny thing about firemen is that no matter what time or day, they will always be firemen"


Life as a Firefighter

Life as a volunteer firefighter at Millbrook Fire Battalion 2 is very exciting. Not only will you have the ability to exercise your courage and dedication, but also learn a great deal about yourself which you can apply in every day life. You will learn how to rely on another, become relied upon, and also train at no cost to you in order to become an effective, and safe firefighter. Drills are held on Monday nights and also new-man training on wednesday nights. We drill on (but not limited to): 

  • Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
  • Search and Rescue 
  • Vehicle Extrication & Stabilization
  • Ladders
  • Hose Advancement
  • Structure Ventilation
  • Hydrants
  • Standard Operating Procedures
  • Small engines
  • Ropes and Knots

So Are You In? 

 

After you have read this, and feel that this is your calling please click here. We need more good people like you! It's time to step up to the plate and show everyone that you have it in you. Make sure to visit our photo gallery, and maybe you can be a part of the team that fights the next big fire!

 

Content copyright . MILLBROOKFIRE.ORG. All rights reserved.