The Volunteer Program was established to provide hands-on experience for individuals interested in supporting their community.   

No. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to support our district and line personnel in a variety of non-firefighter capacities. While you won’t be directly involved in combat firefighting, your contributions will be vital in helping us serve the community in a meaningful way. We value the support of our volunteers and provide training and guidance to ensure you feel engaged and appreciated in your role.

The Incident Support Volunteers support their community through community activities, public education, and in an emergency response role. Duties include: 

• Support firefighters at incidents in a non-firefighter capacity
• Participate in drills and attend classes to attain and maintain necessary skills related to incident support duties
• Participate in community activities, public education, and other events with public interaction

The minimum requirements are:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• High school graduate or equivalent required
• Must possess a current, valid driver's license and maintain a driving record insurable by the District's insurer in order to drive a District vehicle
• Must pass criminal background check, reference check, physical exam, and drug screen
• Must live within TVF&R service area by completion of the volunteer academy. See our About TVF&R page for TVF&R service area information
• Must be able to attend and successfully complete 100% of the volunteer academy 
• Must obtain CPR/AED certification within 6 months of becoming a volunteer (District-provided training)
• Must obtain EMR or EMT license within 12 months of becoming an ISV volunteer (District-provided training) or maintain an existing EMR or EMT license
• Attend three (3) drills per quarter and a minimum of nine (9) drills every six (6) months. Drills occur on Tuesdays from approximately 1800-2200

Successful ISV candidates will also have the following: 

• Key characteristics well-suited to the philosophy and values of the District, including a strong community and customer-service orientation, and high level of professionalism
• Demonstrate use of good judgment and decision-making
• Excellent physical conditioning
• An "unremarkable" criminal background and driving record

The role of an Auxiliary Volunteer includes:

• Participating in community activities
• Public education
• Restore and maintain antique apparatus
• Participate in drills 
• Attend classes to attain and maintain necessary skills related to auxiliary duties
• May also support the District with administrative duties

The minimum requirements are: 

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• High school graduate or equivalent required
• Valid Oregon driver’s license required
• Must pass criminal background check, reference check, physical exam and drug screen
• Must reside within reasonable and approved distance to District Boundaries. See our About TVF&R page for TVF&R service area information.
• Must obtain CPR/AED certification within one year of becoming a volunteer (District-provided training)
• Must be able to attend all sessions of the volunteer orientation specific to auxiliary personnel
• Ability to perform those physical activities required to perform the function of an Auxiliary volunteer  

Successful Auxiliary Volunteer candidates will also have the following: 

• Key characteristics well suited to the philosophy and values of the District, including a strong community and customer service orientation and a high level of professionalism
• Demonstrated use of good judgment and decision-making
• An “unremarkable” criminal background and driving record

No, there is no age restriction (other than being 18 years or older). TVF&R encourages all individuals, regardless of age, to consider a rewarding experience as a volunteer.  We have many examples of individuals who begin volunteer service later in life and are very successful.  All candidates are required to pass the physical exam appropriate to their volunteer role.

The Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification is required for Incident Support Volunteers, although not at the time of application.  Incident Support Volunteers are required to obtain their Oregon certification within 12 months of becoming a volunteer or maintaining an existing licensure as an Emergency Medical Responder.  Additional information regarding EMR courses can be found on the Oregon Health Authority EMR courses page. Click here for the Oregon Health Authority EMS Professional Standards and Licensing contact information page.

No.  We accept Volunteer applications when we conduct a recruitment.  We will post the recruitment that will include the deadline to apply and the approximate timeline of events including the panel interview, and academy dates. If you would like a notification when we open recruitment and begin accepting applications, you can sign up here.

The number of volunteers we accept each year depends on the need at each volunteer station.

It depends on which Volunteer role you are interested in:

• Incident Support Volunteers must live within TVF&R's district boundaries
• Auxiliary Volunteers must live within a reasonable distance of TVF&R's district boundaries

See our About TVF&R page for more boundary information. To determine whether your address is within the TVF&R District, go to www.portlandmaps.com, enter your home address, click on the Assessor tab, then click Assessor Detail and verify that TVF&R is listed under Fire.

All applicants will receive notification as to whether they are selected to move forward in the process or not.

Candidates invited to participate in the interview phase will receive additional information on the date, time, and location.

TVF&R does not apply a blanket policy for consideration of candidate conviction histories and driving records, but reviews circumstances on a case-by-case basis.  Our considerations take into mind the obligations we owe to our citizens to protect them, as well as what a conviction history and/or driving record indicates about a candidate’s judgment, respect for the law, maturity, and general character.  Crimes against persons as well as property crimes are taken very seriously.  

You must make a compelling case for why the District should consider you in light of your conviction history. You may do this on the application itself, or if you feel you can be more effective by attaching a separate statement, that is encouraged.

Currently, it is not a requirement to live within the district at the time of application. However, Volunteers will need to either live within the TVF&R district boundary or live within a reasonable distance of TVF&R's district boundary depending on which Volunteer role they are in:

• Incident Support Volunteers must live within TVF&R's district boundaries
• Auxiliary Volunteers must live within a reasonable distance of TVF&R's district boundaries

See our About TVF&R page for more boundary information. To determine whether your address is within the TVF&R District, go to www.portlandmaps.com, enter your home address, click on the Assessor tab, then click Assessor Detail and verify that TVF&R is listed under Fire.

Yes. All volunteer recruits must complete all required training, including the TVF&R Volunteer Academy regardless of previous certification.

No, we do not have an Explorer or Cadet program at this time.

Yes. Volunteers must be age 18 or older.

Yes, this reimbursement of education expenses is one of the benefits of being a TVF&R Volunteer.  With pre-approval, you may be eligible for reimbursement for classes that relate to the fire service.