Fire District brings volunteer recruiting effort to high school
From our weekly issue dated October 07, 2009
Even though the Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) doesn’t have Dalmatians in stations or firehouse poles to shimmy down, volunteers still will have plenty of opportunities for future success.
That was the message that IVFD Deputy Chief Jeff Gavlik conveyed to a class of Illinois Valley High School seniors on the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 1. Gavlik spoke to 17 of music teacher Shawn McKee’s students as part of a larger, communitywide recruiting drive.
Gavlik explained that he began as a volunteer with IVFD around 15 years ago before pursuing a fire science degree at Rogue Community College. When a paid training officer position opened, Gavlik said that he was automatically in the running because he already had proven himself to IVFD officials.
Aside from himself, Gavlik said that his older brother, mother and father (still active) all have volunteered with IVFD.
“It’s amazing how contagious it is,” he said.
To be an IVFD volunteer firefighter, applicants must have a valid Oregon driver license, be 18 years or older and pass a driving and criminal background check. However, Gavlik said that the application process is being opened to 17-year-olds, who still would need permission from their parents or guardians for the initial training.
Such training involves a commitment of 100 hours at the IVFD firefighting academy, Gavlik said. There, firefighters learn about fire characteristics, operating the tools, and establishing basic skill sets that can later be honed at the two-hour drills held every week.
Volunteers get the same training as paid staff and can drive most of the district’s trucks, Gavlik said. But anyone younger than 18 cannot enter a burning building.
IVFD volunteers receive a “very, very, very small compensation” four times per year for responding to calls, Gavlik. He added that there are a number of rewards for that service.
“It does carry very strong weight in a lot of areas,” he noted.
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Firefighting training can be applied to the medical field, as well as outfits like Grayback Forestry, which specialize in putting out wildfires.
Gavlik said that IVFD members have been recruited to work at area hospitals and for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Volunteer experience also can qualify for student senior projects, he said.
Right now, IVFD is down to around 20 firefighters to fill its six stations, Gavlik said. Between 20 and 25 are needed to fight fires, he said, and the district has “barely enough people to do it” at this point.
Gavlik said that what he enjoys the most about his position is helping vulnerable people in the time of their greatest need.
“It’s been a very rewarding opportunity for me,” he explained.
After the final bell rang for McKee’s class, Gavlik made volunteer applications available to students, some of whom picked them up.
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