The goal of the fire service is to "Protect Life, Property and the Environment". The Firefighters of the West Plainfield Fire Department work and train to meet this goal in everything they do. As first responders to all requests for assistance in the 33 square mile district, WPFD Members are trained in how to mitigate fires, medical aids, vehicle accidents and many other types of emergencies. It is only through the dedication of the largely volunteer staff that these alarms get met. WPFD runs approximately 150 - 180 calls a year, mostly consisting of vehicle accidents, medical aids and wildland fires.

WPFD Firefighters train several times a month in order to maintain the skills necessary to provide the level of service the community expects and deserves. Through training, the Members learn the same skills as career firefighters and how to use those skills in the field to help their neighbors and community members.

WPFD is a community based organization that holds fundraising events several times a year, including an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast in March and a beer booth at the Yolo County Fair biannually in August.

So, what does it take to be a Volunteer Firefighter for WPFD?
Our membership is made up primarily of those that live and/or work in the district. You must be 18 years old and able to respond to calls and drills with a reliable vehicle. While it is not required, most of our Members are Emergency Medical Technicians as well. EMT training is available for members after they join. The department holds training drills on most Monday nights. After an initial training period, the new member will be issued personal protective equipment and a pager.

When the Pager is activated by Yolo County Dispatch, you respond...it's as simple as that! We're looking for dedicated people interested in learning, interested in helping, and interested in giving back to their community.

Isn't there a lot to know about firefighting and medical aid in order to be a Firefighter?
Yes, there is, and that's why we train as often as we do. The saying in the fire service is "There is no such thing as a routine call". You must train in order to be at your best when the call does come in. Since quite often people's lives or their property are at stake, we take our training and education programs very seriously. But it's not impossible to learn the basics of what you need to know to do this job in a relatively short amount of time...that's where our New Member Training criteria comes in. WPFD has set up a program to teach members of the community how to be effective rescuers. Our station is staffed 7 days a week, so you can come in when it's convenient for you to get the training done. That, in conjunction with our regularly scheduled drills, will give you the background and support you need to succeed as a Volunteer Firefighter.

What do I need to do if I'm interested in becoming a Volunteer Firefighter with WPFD?
Simple. If you meet the requirements above, just stop by Station 30 (on County Road 95, South of County Road 29) and fill out an application. It will be reviewed by the Chief and we'll get back you about getting started!

Feel free to give us a call, 7 days a week, during business hours with questions.

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