Looking for a way to give back to the community? Consider becoming a volunteer firefighter. The Clearwater Fire Dept. currently has an urgent need for new volunteers.

Across the country the number of volunteer firefighters has been declining while the number of calls has been on the rise. The Clearwater Fire Dept. is no different, having lost a number of their firefighters due to recent moves and retirements. 

“Normally around 30 firefighters, we currently have 18,” said Fire Chief Ryan Pridgeon. “But only 15 of those are active as two are on personal leave and one going on medical.”

The department is especially hurting for firefighters that can respond to day calls.

“The first thing I tell someone interested in joining the department is to talk to their significant other,” said Pridgeon. “It’s a huge commitment.”

Smaller communities like Clearwater that don’t have fulltime firefighters on staff depend on volunteers to fill the need.

“It’s a hard job but a fun job,” said Pridgeon. “We’ve got good support from the city and the community, and organizations like the Lions and the Legion.”

The Clearwater Fire Dept. is a fire and rescue crew, meaning that along with fighting fires they go out on medical calls. This provides a vital resource for the Clearwater area, which is on the far end of several different ambulance services. In fact, around 85% of the calls the department responds to are medical.

“There’s a lot we can do before paramedics are able to get there,” said Pridgeon. 

A new firefighter’s first year is filled with training. Wright Co. holds a firefighter academy each year, starting in January, which takes six to nine months to complete. During this time recruits go through firefighter 1, firefighter 2, and hazmat operational training, completing a test at the end. Upon passing they become certified.

Another requirement for firefighters is obtaining an emergency medical response (EMR) certificate, which takes an additional 120 hours of training. 

The Clearwater Fire Dept. also holds in-house training on the second and third Wednesday of each month that consists of drills, refresher training, and continuing education. For example, Allina medical professionals will come in and teach new medical standards. 

After becoming certified, firefighters are required to have 16 hours of refresher training every two years and respond to at least 20% of calls each year. Clearwater averages around 250 – 260 calls a year, approximately 20 per month. 

Although they’re considered volunteers, Clearwater’s firefighters are paid per hour that they’re on calls, receiving a minimum of an hour each time they go out.

Everyone, male and female, interested in joining the department is encouraged to apply at city hall. The only requirements are that one must be 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and not have a felony. Although the Clearwater Fire Dept. is of urgent need of new firefighters, the Becker, Big Lake, and Clear Lake Fire Departments are always looking for new recruits as well. 

“The main thing to keep in mind is that you make sacrifices,” said Pridgeon. “You might miss Christmas dinner, your child’s birthday party, or a family get-together.”

Although becoming a volunteer firefighter requires dedication and sacrifice, it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of a person’s life.

“Joining the fire service is the best thing I ever did,” said Pridgeon. “I always wanted to give back to the community. It’s been the best 26 years of my life.”