SOUTHWICK—Sometimes the bravest aren’t chosen to be, but choose to be. And that’s what the town’s fire department is looking for.
Southwick Fire Department, which is a mostly volunteer-based department, is looking for volunteers to join their force. The department is staffed by four full-time members and the chief, Russ Anderson, and is seeking EMTs and paramedics in particular. However, fire personnel are also being sought.
Sign in front of Southwick Fire Department seeking EMT’s and firefighters. (Photo by Dan Desrochers)
“We’re looking for people who are compassionate and care about their neighbors,” Anderson said.
The department’s website noted that they are seeking applicants who are at least 18 years old and live in town. Anderson said that those in town are the first priority when it comes to being chosen, but those in contiguous cities and town will be considered, as well. Applicants must also have driver’s licenses, pass a physical exam and a background check.
For those looking at the EMS side, EMTs, advanced EMTs and paramedics will all be considered.
According to Anderson, the department did about 1,000 EMS calls last year, in addition to another 350 responses from fire personnel. The services are always going, whether it’s 1 a.m. or 1 p.m., and volunteers are especially needed for overnight and evening shifts. Currently, the full-time force covers from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
Volunteers are given a radio and pager that will help to notify them of any potential incidents. They are also given protective equipment for fire personnel, and training through the Mass. or Conn. Fire Academies, which is paid by the Southwick Fire Department.
Anderson said that those who come in after being requested will receive a stipend for doing so. In addition, EMTs receive a stipend for being on-call, meaning that they are available and within 10 minutes from the station for any emergency. Also, weekend shifts for EMTs pay an hourly rate.
“We have a lot of EMTs doing quite a bit of coverage,” Anderson said. “But people have jobs, vacations, get injured, or go to school.”
These are some of the many reasons why EMTs are being highly sought after for the department. But in addition to these is the possibility of growth for the department.
Anderson said that within the next three years the ambulance service will become an advanced life support (ALS) service. Currently, it’s at a basic life support (BLS) level. With an ALS service comes a need for more than EMTs, but paramedics, who are trained at a higher level and are able to provide additional treatments. These treatments include IVs, medications, intubation and other invasive maneuvers. In order to get to this level though, they need more personnel with higher levels of training.
Also, fire personnel can expect to have a wide array of experiences while serving on the department, due in part to the population size and the various terrains in the area.
“We’re diverse—we do fires, MVAs (motor vehicle accidents), have boats for rescues in lakes, slope mountain rescue,” Anderson said. “That’s the strength of a robust call force—people who are strong in different areas.”
For those interested in applying, you can go to Southwick Fire Department website and download an application, call the department at (413)569-6363, or going to their department at 15 Depot St.
