Membership Information

The Gumbranch Volunteer Fire Department welcomes applications for membership. There are several categories of membership available to persons interested in serving our community. For additional information, contact the department at (912) 368-8181.

Firefighter: Members are trained to respond to all fire related calls and are eligible to ride all fire apparatus operated by the Department.

First Responder: Members are trained to handle calls for rapid response emergency care in the field. Most calls may be responded to using personal vehicles.

Support/Administrative: For those members of the community who do not wish, or may not be physically able, to participate in responding to emergency calls, but who nevertheless wish to aid the department in a support or an administrative capacity. These members may be eligible to assist in bookkeeping, secretarial work, fundraising, public safety education, fire prevention and rehab on large incidents.

Joining the Fire Service

Today's volunteer must be intelligent, dedicated, responsive and willing to undergo the demanding training and time commitments that go with the job. They address challenges and are motivated by self-satisfaction. The personal rewards and satisfaction received from volunteering with our department vary from person to person. Some experience a sense of accomplishment after controlling a building fire, joy and elation when a child is born, compassion for accident victims, and fulfillment in helping community members. However, you will also face numerous challenges. You will often be asked to perform in hot, dirty, strenuous or tedious work and sometimes face uncertain or hazardous situations. In addition to a desire to help people, you also need courage, dedication, a willingness to face new challenges, the ability to work well with others, and good personnel relation skills.

Men and women age 18 and older and have the desire to participate in emergency fire and/or medical activities are eligible for membership. Only those 21 and older are authorized to drive emergency vehicles and must have a valid U.S. State drivers license.

Making a commitment to serve as a member of our department is a serious decision and involves complete commitment. We hope you will find that you are able to make the commitment we need to contribute to the safety of our community and its citizens. You will find that participation as a member of our department will give you a tremendous sense of accomplishment for a job well done and bring loads of personal satisfaction.

A preliminary application is the first step in consideration of membership. If accepted as either a Firefighter, or First Responder, you will be brought onto the department as a probationary member who will serve a 90 day probation. During this period you will undergo a department orientation to include Standard Operating Procedures & training. After successful completion, you will be brought up before the membership of the department for a membership vote. If successful, you become an active member of the department. Additionally, within the next 90 days, you will be required to complete either GA Module 1 training or First Responder training.

Members are also required to attend at least 50% company meetings, which are held the first 4 Mondays of each month at 6:30 PM, as well as 50% of functions and calls. In addition, attendance at Fundraisers is highly recommended. Not only does this help raise funds for our operating expenses, but it allows us to get out into the community and do some fire prevention as well.

Download and complete the application below, then turn it in at the station on a Monday night. Once your application is turned in, we ask that you attend a department meeting, to let the members know about yourself and possibly join the department for a 90 day probation period. This allows all new members to get to know the department, and it's policies, as well as giving the members a chance to get to know you.

After that period, the membership will then vote to accept or deny your full membership on the department.

Download a copy of the application in *.pdf format here, and Microsoft Word format here. If neither of these links work, or you cannot print them out, please feel free to stop by the station on a meeting night and fill out a copy.