Fire District 3 delivers fire suppression, wildland firefighting, Advanced Life Support (ALS), all hazard response, technical rescue, and extrication services to residents living in the communities of Central Point, White City, Eagle Point, Gold Hill, Sams Valley, Dodge Bridge, and Agate Lake.
Volunteers are an integral part of our team, contributing valuable support that advances our mission of providing progressive, high-quality emergency services while fostering strong community partnerships to protect and serve our residents.
Volunteer Firefighters
Volunteer Firefighters play a critical role in protecting our communities. Our rural fire stations are supported by dedicated community members who step forward to serve their neighbors when emergencies occur. Whether responding to fires, assisting during natural disasters, or supporting emergency operations, volunteer firefighters embody the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors when lives, property, and the environment are at risk.
As a Volunteer Firefighter with Fire District 3, you can expect to:
- Attend Tuesday evening training drills on a regular basis.
- Contribute a minimum of 12 hours of volunteer service each month.
- Participate in ongoing training and emergency response activities.
- Serve alongside a team committed to professionalism, safety, and community service.
Fire & Life Safety Volunteers
Fire & Life Safety Volunteers help reduce wildfire risks in our community. They assist residents by delivering and picking up the District’s green fuels collection trailer, making it easier to remove brush and other combustible vegetation from around homes.
By helping residents create defensible space, these volunteers play an important role in keeping our community safer and better prepared for wildfire season.
Resident Volunteers
Resident Volunteers are individuals who live at one of our rural volunteer stations in Sams Valley, Dodge Bridge, Gold Hill, or Agate Lake. Preference is given to candidates who are certified as Firefighter 1 and/or EMTs.
Similar to Volunteer Firefighters, Resident Volunteers are expected to maintain the following:
- Attend Tuesday evening training drills on a regular basis.
- Provide 120 hours/month of standby duty at their assigned station.
- Participate in ongoing training and emergency response activities.
- Serve alongside a team committed to professionalism, safety, and community service.
In exchange for providing 120 hours of standby duty each month at their assigned station, District 3 offers comfortable on-site housing at no cost. Resident Volunteers play an important role in improving emergency response and supporting the communities we serve.
Live where you serve and help make a difference in your community.
FAQ’s:
Who can become a volunteer firefighter?
Anyone who meets the District's minimum requirements, completes the application process, agrees to participate in the background process, and has a desire to serve their community is encouraged to apply. Prior fire service experience is helpful but not always required.
Do I need firefighting experience?
No. We provide training to help volunteers develop the skills needed to serve safely and effectively.
Can I volunteer if I have a full-time job?
Yes. Many of our volunteers balance service with full-time employment, school, and family commitments.
What are the benefits of volunteering?
Benefits may include:
- Valuable training and experience
- Service to your community
- Camaraderie and teamwork
- Leadership development opportunities
- A pathway to a career in fire or emergency services
How do I get my FF1 certificate?
Become a volunteer: Some agencies provide FF1 training at little or no cost to volunteers. After joining the department, members complete training, skills evaluations, and task books as part of their progression toward certification.
DPSST: The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) periodically offers Firefighter I academies at the Oregon Public Safety Academy and through regional training programs.
Several Oregon community colleges offer fire service training that may lead to FF1 certification or prepare candidates for certification, including: Rogue Community College, Chemeketa Community College, Clackamas Community College, Portland Community College, and Lane Community College.
Rogue Interagency Training Association (RITA): RITA coordinates regional fire training opportunities throughout Southern Oregon and can be a valuable resource for finding academies, FF1 courses, and certification-related training offered by local agencies.
How do I get EMT certification?
EMT certification can be obtained through Oregon Health Authority-approved training programs offered by community colleges, fire departments, and other EMS education providers throughout Oregon. Candidates should choose a program that fits their schedule, career goals, and location while ensuring it meets Oregon licensure requirements.
What is Drill Night?
Tuesday night volunteer drill night is a weekly, evening training session held by local fire districts and departments across Southern Oregon. Volunteer firefighters gather at local stations to learn and practice critical rescue and firefighting skills to keep the community safe.
These drill nights are required for local volunteers to maintain their certifications.
A typical drill night involves:
- Hands-on Practice: Volunteers practice using hoses, running fire engines, and setting up portable water tanks.
- Wildfire Preparedness: Because of Southern Oregon's geography, drills often focus on wildland-urban interface (WUI) tactics, like protecting homes from approaching forest fires.
- Medical Training: Crews review Basic Life Support (BLS) and Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) protocols.
Many departments in our area host these training sessions every Tuesday evening, usually from around 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Notable local agencies include:
- Jackson County Fire District 3: Serving the White City, Central Point, and Eagle Point areas.
- Jackson County Fire District 5: Serving Southern Jackson County and the Ashland outskirts.
- Applegate Valley Fire District: Partnering frequently with local districts for regional drills.
SIGN UP HERE: Observe a drill night, find out locations and times and learn more about what training is scheduled: https://www.rvfrso.com/tnt
What is the background investigation requirement?
The Background process includes a criminal history check, DMV record review, medical exam, interviews with references and a psychological evaluation. Your time and commitment to fully cooperate with honest statements, accurate information and respond to requests in a timely manner are required.
What kinds of skills will I learn and have the opportunity to practice and use to help the community?
- EMS skills including scene assessment, patient questioning, CPR/First Aid.
- Fire Response for structure fires, car fires and wildland fires including arrival reports and size ups, search skills, suppression tactics, safety considerations.
- Apparatus Operation including driver, pump operator, tender operator, drafting/water supply and wildland.
- Motor Vehicle Crash response including EMS, traffic control, vehicle stabilization, access and size up protocols.
What happens during an emergency?
When an emergency call is received, volunteers may be alerted by cell phone or station notification systems. Volunteers quickly report to the emergency scene or the nearest station, receive information about the incident from the arriving Chief or Company Officer, and respond with other firefighters or emergency personnel as directed.
Depending on training and qualifications, volunteers may assist with fire suppression, medical emergencies, wildland fires, traffic accidents, public service calls, and other emergency incidents.
Resident Volunteers on standby are expected to respond when a call is received. A resident volunteer will work under the direction of and alongside career personnel to provide professional emergency services to the community. Being on standby helps ensure that trained responders are available to answer calls quickly, especially in our rural service areas.
What does Standby Duty for Resident Volunteers mean?
During standby duty, Resident Volunteers are expected to remain at or near their assigned station and be available to respond to emergency calls when dispatched. Standby hours help ensure timely emergency response within our rural communities. While on standby, volunteers may continue normal activities at the station, such as studying, working remotely, completing training, maintaining equipment, or participating in station duties, provided they are ready to respond when needed.
What if I don't want to fight fires?
There are other ways to serve. Fire & Life Safety Volunteers help with community risk reduction, wildfire preparedness, public education, and other support activities.
Why do people volunteer?
People volunteer for many reasons—to serve their community, learn new skills, make lifelong friendships, prepare for a fire service career, and make a difference when their neighbors need help most.