Saving lives: Volunteer firefighters on LI

Everyone knows their community has a volunteer fire department. But did you know that you, too, can become a local hero riding to the rescue on fire department emergency calls?

In Nassau, a total of 9,500 firefighters volunteer at 71 fire departments. In Suffolk County, there are about 11,000 firefighters and 110 departments.

"Local fire departments are always trying to recruit new members," says Richard Stockinger of the Suffolk County Fire Academy in Yaphank and a longtime member of the Bohemia Fire Department.

Firefighters are highly trained volunteers who handle many kinds of emergencies. Although officials caution that every department is different, here are some things you need to know to serve.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Generally, fire departments are looking for men and woman over 18 in good health and with enough time to devote to their volunteering, which can amount to as much as several hundred hours a year.

There is no upper age limit. However, people in their 60s generally opt for less physically demanding roles such as traffic control for the fire company, Stockinger says.

It is a good idea to visit the firehouse and get to know the other firefighters before you fill out an application, says Tom Cuff of Levittown, president of the Fireman's Association of the State of New York.

Other unlikely candidates: People who would be bothered by height or smoky conditions; those daunted by demanding physical activity.

BASIC TRAINING

In addition to in-house training at their local department ranging from CPR to heavy equipment sessions, volunteers attend the Nassau County Fire Academy in Old Bethpage and the Suffolk County Fire Academy in Yaphank. There, they learn hands-on with firefighting equipment and study firefighting methods, safety and other important issues.

ON CALL

Firefighters handle many kinds of emergencies, from small brush fires to blazes in commercial and private properties. They also respond to building collapses, hazardous material calls, medical emergencies and the occasional animal caught in a tree. However, Cuff, who has been in the fire service for 50 years, says, "Most firefighters never encounter a certain life and death situation . . . because we get there soon enough to knock the fire down before it gets more serious."

COMMITMENT

As expected, volunteering as a firefighter is a serious commitment of time and energy. To remain active, fire department members are often required to attend monthly meetings, truck maintenance drills and safety checks. Additionally, volunteers must answer a percentage of fire calls set by the department.

BENEFITS

After five years, firefighters in many municipalities become eligible for a 10 percent discount on real property taxes. A pension program is available in many departments. And the state Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law (VFBL) provides for workers' compensation benefits to firefighters injured in the line of duty.

INFORMATION

For more information, see the Fireman's Association of the State of New York's Web site, fasny.com or the National Volunteer Fire Council site at nvfc.org.

Also - suffolksbravest.com is a countywide recruitment site for Suffolk Fire Departments. Nassau has no countywide Web site.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

John Moundros, 34, New Hyde Park

Volunteers: Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department Co. No. 5 in North New Hyde Park.

Why: "In August of 2007, my truck caught fire after leaving a supermarket on Marcus Avenue. I called 911, and the Manhasset-Lakeville FD showed up. They put the fire out. I'm originally from Queens, where they are all paid firefighters, and that's when I realized that it's all volunteer out here. I was really intrigued by that. Everybody thinks it's a dangerous profession, and these guys do it for free and are coming out answering these calls at 2 o'clock in the morning. A guy like me wants to help people out, too."