Firefighters wanted
Webster City Fire Dept. seeking volunteers
“We have some vacancies in the volunteer part of the department,” said WC Fire Chief Charles Stansfield.
“We’re looking for anywhere between the four to six range,” said Jeromy Estlund, full- time firefighter with the WCFD. “We’re down about six volunteers total.”
There are currently three full time firefighters and 26 volunteer firefighters on the department in addition to new chief Charles Stansfield.
Volunteers duties include responding to fire calls and attending trainings and drills throughout the year.
“If we get a fire call, the full time guys are here 24 hours a day. We take the fire truck and we go to the fire and the volunteers meet us there,” said Estlund. “We have some volunteers that come to the station and take other trucks. Volunteers pretty much do everything the full time guys do.”
“We like to see you as much as possible. We hope that you can make 75 percent of fire drills, which is our once to twice a month training, and if you can make 70 percent of the fire calls, that would be good,” said Estlund. “We would love to see higher percentages.”
There is no prior training or requirements needed by individuals who wish to apply.
“There are no requirements to try out,” Estlund said. “After you become a volunteer, then we’ll have you do the firefighter 1, with that, you’ll also get your Hazmat Operations.”
Although there are no requirements to apply, Estlund recommends being in good physical shape.
“The best thing would be to be to come in in physical shape. We do have a physical agility test that we put on. It’s not real straining, but it does work you pretty good,” said Estlund.
The majority of training and testing occurs after the application acceptance process.
“After you become a volunteer we have you take, within the first year, we have you become a firefighter 1. That’s a class that you go to. We usually teach the class here,” Estlund said. “Beyond that, you can choose to take more classes and get more certifications if you want.”
Estlund noted availability and proximity to Webster City is an important factor for individuals who wish to apply. Applicants should live in close proximity to Webster City so that they can respond to fire calls in a timely fashion.
“We try to say within four miles of Webster City. We don’t want someone who lives ten or fifteen miles away. We like to say within four miles of town,” said Estlund.
Because fire calls are unpredictable, the ability to respond is important to the department.
“Our biggest problem we have is daytime response. Because so many people work out of town, we don’t have a lot of people in town during the day. When we do have a big fire call, we’re short handed,” Estlund said. “For the employers that do let their firemen leave, that’s really helpful to us.”
Those who wish to apply can visit the Webster City Fire Station at 919 Superior St. and pick up an application.
“They can stop down at the fire station and pick up an application. Fill it out and bring it back. It’s just a front and back, just like any other job application,” said Estlund. “We’ll take anybody who wants to be a firefighter.”
Estlund’s advice to applicants: “Be ready to learn fire fighting,” Estlund said.