Reserve Program

Become a Reserve Firefighter, Paramedic or EMT

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of Bay County Fire Rescue. BCFR is a combination department that has both career and reserve personnel. Reserve personnel are commonly know as volunteers in other departments. Our reserve staff apparatuses right alongside the career personnel and are an integral part of our response system. This means that we expect a lot from our reserves, but in return, we provide all training, uniforms, and equipment you need to help protect yourself and the community. You also get the pride of knowing you made a difference in the lives of others.

Bay County Fire Rescue reserve personnel receive additional consideration when full-time positions become available, though there are no guarantees a reserve will be hired for a career position.

Reserve Firefighter Candidates must:

  • be at least 18 years old in order to response to emergency assignments
  • be a resident of the local area; individuals outside of Bay County will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • have a valid Florida Drivers license
  • be able to pass a criminal background check and drug screening
  • be physically fit to become a firefighter and EMT and/or Paramedic

Reserve Paramedic or EMT Candidates must:

  • be at least 18 years old, in order to respond to calls
  • be a resident of the local area; individuals outside of Bay County will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • have a valid Florida Drivers license
  • be able to pass a criminal background check and drug screening
  • be physically fit to become a Paramedic or EMT

Training is conducted monthly, and it is mandatory that regular attendance is maintained. In the event regular attendance is not maintained, individuals are subject to removal from the department.

All reserve personnel must comply with BCFR policies and procedures (SOGs). The application and clearance process can take a few months, though every effort will be made to determine eligibility as quickly as possible. Once you are cleared, you will be scheduled for attendance, if required, to obtain Florida Fire Standards training (Fire Academy). Those classes have various training times, but every attempt will be made to place individuals in a course that fits their schedule requirements.

Reserve Firefighters & Paramedics/EMTs :

  • learn a new career if desired
  • are provided with free training
  • are issued all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • contribute to the community
  • develop skills, personal confidence and pride
  • gain valuable fire rescue experience
  • become part of a proud tradition and family of fire service

There are minimum participation requirements in order to remain an active Reserve, including:

  • 36 hours of duty per month
  • Maintain a 75% or greater attendance to monthly trainings
  • at least one (1) overnight duty shift per month

The Steps to Becoming a Reserve Firefighter, Paramedic or EMT:

Becoming a BCFR reserve takes dedication to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

Firefighter candidates must:

  1. Submit an application on the County HR page
  2. Pass a medical physical and physical agility test
  3. Pass the background investigation and drug test
  4. Complete an BCFR Chief Officer’s Interview

If you are interested in applying, please complete RESERVE FIREFIGHTER or RESERVE PARAMEDIC/EMT APPLICATION HERE and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.

Once accepted as a Bay County Fire Rescue Reserve, new members must complete the following training:

  1. BCFR’s Blood Born Pathogens Training
  2. BCFR’s Hazardous Materials Awareness Training
  3. BCFR's HIPAA Training
  4. Possess a valid AHA BLS/CPR certification or obtain one provided by the department
  5. Complete basic NIMS and ICS training
    1. IS-100 - Introduction to Incident Command
    2. IS-200 - Basic Incident Command (Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents)
    3. IS-700 - Introduction to the National Incident Management System
    4. IS-800 - Introduction to the National Response Framework

Once you have completed the above requirements, you will then receive BCFR issued gear commensurate with your training (bunker gear, uniforms, etc.) and considered “Probational.”

Probational Firefighters must:

  1. Maintain a 75% or greater attendance to monthly trainings
  2. Complete Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) and maintain a clean driving record
  3. Complete Emergency Medical Responder, EMT or higher EMS training
  4. Be an active Firefighter for at least 90 days (attend at least 75% of all training and meetings scheduled)
  5. Complete a National Wildland Coordination Group (NWCG) approved Wildland Firefighter Training Course (S130/S190)
  6. Complete Florida State approved “Firefighter 1” or Firefighter Minimum Standards (Fire II) training and certification
  7. Demonstrate essential firefighting skills

Probational Paramedics and EMTs must:

  1. Attend at least 75% of all monthly training
  2. Complete Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) and maintain a clean driving record
  3. Complete Paramedic or EMT training, if not already certified by the State of Florida
  4. Be an active EMS Provider for at least 90 days (attend at least 75% of all training and meetings scheduled)
  5. Complete ACLS, PHTLS and PALS certifications
  6. Demonstrate essential EMS skills

New firefighters, Paramedics and EMTs are STRONGLY urged to spend time at the Fire Station, during training, work details or when a crew is on duty, getting to know the active Firefighters, learning about BCFR and familiarizing yourself with the apparatus and gear.

Once you have completed these steps, the Chief, in consultation with the senior Officers, will decide when you will be taken off probation, and become a “Bay County Fire Rescue Firefighter and/or Paramedic/EMT”. Typical probation periods are three (3) to 12 months, depending previous experience and level of activity.

 Please note:

* Applicants and Candidates may be restricted from active participation in the more stressful physical training until such time as they have passed a physical examination and possess the necessary PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
* Applicants and Candidates are not allowed to ride on Fire Apparatus or respond to emergency calls unless approved by the Chief of Emergency Services until certain training requirements are satisfied.
* Probational Firefighters, Paramedics, and/or EMTs will be restricted from certain advanced activities until properly trained.

If you are interested in applying, please complete RESERVE FIREFIGHTER or RESERVE PARAMEDIC/EMT APPLICATION HERE and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.

Become a Bay County Fire Rescue Support Staff Member

If you want to help but unable or not interested in becoming a Firefighter, we still need you!

You may want to become a support staff member. Support staff members, 

  • perform important non-firefighting roles
  • help at special functions
  • may choose to provide direct support services for firefighters, such as rehab at fire scenes (providing drinks, food, and comfort during extended fire operations and training)
  • may choose to help with facility maintenance or with our community education and awareness programs
  • become part of a proud tradition and family of fire service

The steps to becoming a Support Staff Member:

  1. Submit an APPLICATION HERE
  2. Meet with a Chief Officer
  3. Pass a Background check/investigation
  4. Attend a training session and meet other members of the organization to ask questions of them