Every Ralston Volunteer Firefighter stands as a sentinel of safety and guidance in times of chaos. Our personnel are required to have their Emergency Medical Technician license. We treat every call as if it is our loved ones experiencing their worst day. Being a firefighter is not for the faint of heart and one of the most important aspects of providing the best service is our annual training. Weekly apparatus checks are held every Tuesday at 1800 (military) and followed by hands-on training.
Note Current Emergency Medical Technicians: Applicants who currently hold an EMT certification and have at least 6 months prior experience on a department or service within the last 2 years will be brought on the department as a Probationary Member anytime during the year at the business meeting (second Tuesday) following successful completion of the application and testing process (deadlines March & September).
Becoming a Firefighter and what to expect.
Probationary Members have a task book with skill competency tests listed in every aspect of firefighting and emergency medical practice. Sign-offs for all tasks are to be completed by the end of their first year in order to be considered voted on as a Regular Member. Primary milestones include:
- Complete a Emergency Medical Technician Basic course and hold a Nebraska State Level License
- Hold a Current Valid CPR Basic Life Support Provider Card
- Knowledge of RFD’s EMS Protocols/Guidelines
- Lead five EMS Calls with Medical Director review approval
- Complete & Pass the Squad Driver Operations & Map Training
- EMS Patient Care Reporting Procedures
- License & Certification Renewal Procedures
- Complete all required Online NIMS/ICS FEMA Courses (Incident Command)
- Complete a Firefighter I course and hold a Nebraska State Level License (within second year)
- IFSTA Essentials of Firefighting Book or Jones & Bartlett Firefighter Skills Text
- Demonstrate Knowledge of Current Standard Operating Guidelines
- Cleared Apparatus Operations along with Safe Emergent/Non Emergent Driving
- Overall Maintenance & Maintenance Procedures of Equipment
- Station Maintenance & Procedures
- Knowledge of Department’s Organization By-Laws
- Completion of Probationary Member Packet (task book)
- Successfully complete both Practical & Written Year End Test
- Red Helmet skills testing for deployment on fire grounds
Annual requirements consist of members obliged to 40 hours of documented training each fiscal year (20 hours within and 20 hours outside department sum). Monthly requirements include a minimum of 10% call volume within the district or 40 volunteer standby hours clocked at the station. Our utilities are maintained by Back-Line Officers and chores are assigned to probationary members for weekly completion.
Physical Fitness
On top of annual Fire/EMS competency testing, Ralston Firefighters must pass yearly agility testing to be fit for duty. Firefighting is a physically demanding job. One of the leading causes of death among firefighters across the country is from heart attacks while working or responding to incidents. The Ralston Volunteer Fire Department is proactive in preventing health-related problems by providing a Fitness Facility. Members have taken it upon themselves to form a Fitness Committee to address physical challenges and support one-another. All RVFD members with their family and friends are free to use the facility accompanied.
The Firefighter Agility Test includes a series of firefighting related activity to test the individual’s overall dexterity with a donned fire helm, bunker coat, and SCBA pack. Candidate and member vital signs are assessed during the process for safety.
Scoring of the physical agility test will be pass / fail basis. The five skills will be timed to score your overall time. Candidates must complete the timed portion of the agility test within 6 minutes to receive a score of Pass. The process includes chronologically: Stair Climb (four flights), Ladder Raise Simulation (rope raise 35-foot), Ventilation Simulator (Kaiser Sled), Charged Hose Drag (1-3/4” hose line 85 feet), Victim Rescue (165lb victim mannequin 85 feet).
As seen on scene:
View more of the team in action on our Training page.
RALSTON FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT 