Emergency First Responders

You may apply by stopping by the Eastsound Fire Hall to pick up an Application Packet or complete the necessary forms and drop them off or email them to our Volunteer Coordinator. To fill out an application and other documents: Start Here.

Volunteer Firefighter and EMT application process:

1. Submit a complete Application Package, available at the Eastsound Fire Hall.
2. We will contact you after reviewing your application and completing your driving and criminal history report.
3. We will schedule a face-to-face interview between you and other department personnel, which may include the Chief.
4. The interview board will make a recommendation to the Chief.
5. The Chief makes a decision to accept or decline your application.

To learn more about our next Firefighter or EMT training, contact us at info@orcasfire.org or call 360-376-2331!

Volunteer Firefighter

Volunteer Firefighters respond to 911 emergencies, provide basic EMS support, and assist with non-emergency duties. Volunteer Firefighters extinguish, control, and prevent fires through proper training and education. Volunteer Firefighters may pull day or night duty shifts at Station 21 (Eastsound) and Station 24 (Deer Harbor). Volunteer Firefighters are needed at Station 24 (Deer Harbor), Station 25 (Olga), Station 26 (Orcas), and Station 27 (Doe Bay).

Becoming a Volunteer Firefighter requires participation in the Fire Academy hosted by OIFR. The Fire Academy takes up to four months, twice a week and all day Saturday. Upon completion of the Academy, volunteers will have acquired the necessary knowledge and will be provided the opportunity to test for their Firefighter 1 rating.

We are testing a new Firefighter on-boarding process in 2025 which requires a current volunteer firefighter mentor who is in good standing in the department. Requirements would include completing a year as a probationary firefighter, participating in 36+ hours of fire drills (held on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month), completion of the WSP Skill Sheets, and culmination in a live fire exercise. If this seems like a good fit for you, please complete an application so we can schedule an interview to discuss your path to volunteering! (All of the previous information is subject to change at this time.)

NEXT FIRE ACADEMY - TBD

• Fire Academy is held every other year (alternate years are EMT training).
• Fire Academy requires over 140 hours of weeknight training, as well as multiple skills weekends.
• Failure to attend all classes and skills weekends will result in failing the academy.

Volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Volunteer EMTs are specially trained to handle trauma and medical emergencies and are needed for all areas of Orcas Island. EMTs assist the Paramedic on duty with critical care techniques, such as:

• Administer CPR and AED
• Supraglottic intubation
• Patient stabilization
• Administer BLS medications per protocol
• Other duties as described by the San Juan County Medical Program Director
• EMT Academy (NEXT ACADEMY WINTER 2025)

Volunteer EMTs undergo training that is hosted by Orcas, Lopez, Shaw, or San Juan Island; the host agency rotates each year. EMT training takes approximately five months of classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, plus all day Saturday (or Wednesday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday, depending). Volunteer EMTs may pull day or night duty shifts at Station 21 (Eastsound) and Station 24 (Deer Harbor).

Volunteer Wildland Firefighter

To become a volunteer Wildland Firefighter, Red Card Certification is required. This may be done by attending an academy outside of OIFR. Continuing education to maintain certification is provided by the department. OIFR offers a pack test annually in the spring for OIFR members. Monthly drills include team safety and communications, a Red Card refresher course, Brush and WASP pump operations, portable pump operations, tool use, and strategy.

Apparatus Operator/Engineer

Training requirements and on-boarding for this role are in development! More coming soon!

• Apparatus Operator/Engineer
• Ambulance Driver
• EVIP Certification

Technical Rescue

Rescue Academy and training requirements for this role are being scheduled. More coming soon!

• Rope Rescue
• Vehicle Rescue
• Search and Rescue

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How to become an OIFR volunteer

We appreciate your interest in volunteering with Orcas Island Fire & Rescue. It is very important that prospective volunteers have a strong understanding of our district’s volunteer requirements, which are designed to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, and the people we serve in our community.

We accept applications for volunteer clerical service, public education, emergency medical care, and fire suppression. Once you have completed training, you will be assigned to one of seven stations.

• Volunteer Firefighter and EMT expectations
• Good driving record.
• Pass a criminal background check.
• Some upfront costs include books used in training, prescription safety glasses, work gloves, duty pants, and boots, for example (reimbursed six months after completing the academy).
• You will be issued gear and a uniform, but you need to supply your own footwear.
• Volunteers are expected to participate in community events and attend regular training.
• Volunteers are expected to respond to emergency calls and assist in maintaining our apparatus, equipment, and stations.
• Volunteers are expected to complete a minimum number of duty shifts, either from home or from the Eastsound fire station.
• For station duty shifts, you may choose whether to be on duty for the day or night shift (or both) upon approval of the officer in charge.

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Volunteer Service Oath

Voluntarily take this oath with purpose and with pride.

I hereby accept the District’s Mission, Values, and Principles as my own in the presence of my family, my neighbors, my officers, and my fellow Firefighters, EMTs, and First Responders. I understand that all these lives will be in my hands and mine in theirs. I am committed to developing my knowledge and skills at training and at drills, knowing that a life may depend on my ability to learn and my dedication to training. I make this oath knowing that my service will protect the lives and property of my family and my neighbors. Because this community and my fellow responders rely on me, I solemnly swear my dedication to the Fire Service as a member of San Juan County Fire Protection District #2. Separately and together, we are the Orcas Island Fire & Rescue.