Application for Membership
Grand Coteau Fire Department
A Message from the Fire Chief:
"Dear Applicant, Let me take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Grand Coteau Fire Department. Our Mission is to save life and property through the use of Volunteer and part-time on duty Staff. I hope, that should you become a member of this department, the training that you will receive, friendships made, and experiences that you have, will be rewarding and fulfilling. I look forward to meeting you. To tell you a little about our department, we are a small combination volunteer and paid/part-time fire department protecting the Historic Town of Grand Coteau in Southern St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Grand Coteau is known for its significant history and rich culture. We are proud to protect the lives in property of this historic community and the surrounding area. We average between 50-60 calls per year and maintain a fleet of 6 apparatus. We are not just a team, we are a family, and we would be glad to have you become a part of our organization." - Fire Chief Riley "Skippy" Grisham __________________________________________________________________________________ To help speed up the process of your application, please fill out all spaces completely and truthfully. A background check and drug screening may be conducted to verify the entries on this application. The first step in applying for membership with our department, is filling out this application. After filling out the application, members of our command staff will review your application, then we will contact you to set up an interview (either in person or via webcam). From there, your application will either accepted or denied. The application process can take two to three weeks. You may check on the status of your application by emailing us or calling the station. Contact info can be found at the end of this application. You may print this application and submit it in person at our fire station, or you may submit this form by pressing the "Submit" button at the bottom of the last page. The Grand Coteau Fire Department provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. All information gathered from this application, interview, background, or drug screening are confidential and shall only be shared with authorized personnel within the command staff of the Grand Coteau Fire Department in accordance to State and Federal Law, Department Policy, HIPPA, and CHRI policy. The Grand Coteau Fire Department reserves the right to accept or deny any application.
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What position are you applying for?
Here at the Grand Coteau Fire Department, we have 5 types of positions: Volunteer, Auxiliary Volunteer, Junior Volunteer, Support Staff, or On Duty Staff. Click on the buttons below to learn more about the 5 positions within our Fire Department. Tap the buttons below to learn more about each position or frequently asked questions, or skip to the next page to begin filling out the application.
Click on a button to learn more
Volunteer
Volunteer members are the backbone of our department. Volunteers can be firefighters, apparatus drivers/operators, Emergency Medical Responders, or even all 3. Volunteer members respond directly to the fire station when a emergency call is dispatched, then respond in fire trucks and other department vehicles to the call. To be a volunteer you must be 18 years or older and live within ten (10) minutes from the fire station, attend a minimum of ten (10) trainings per year, respond to an average of 25% of calls within the year (January to December) and attend at least 2 drills per year. Trainings are held twice a month, on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6pm (24 per year) Trainings typically last 2 to 3 hours. Special accommodations can be made for members who can't meet regularly at the designated time. Drills are held once per quarter for a total of 4 per year. All drills and trainings are scheduled before hand at least 2 weeks in advance. To see if you are within the 10 minute response area, type in the station address in your navigation app or GPS below: 442 E. M.L.K. Dr Grand Coteau, LA 70541
Auxiliary Volunteer
Auxiliary members play an important roll in our fire department. Auxiliary Volunteers can be firefighters, apparatus drivers/operators, Emergency Medical Responders, or even all 3. Auxiliary members live more than ten (10) minutes away from our fire station. Instead of responding directly to the station when an emergency call is dispatched, Auxiliary members are scheduled on Auxiliary Duty to stand by at the fire station and respond immediately in the fire truck or other department vehicle when an emergency call is dispatched. Auxiliary members set their own schedule and choose when and how long they go stand by at the fire station. To be an Auxiliary Volunteer you must be 18 years or older and have a total of 24 hours of Auxiliary duty per quarter, attend a minimum of ten (10) trainings per year, and attend at least 2 drills per year (monthly training and quarterly drills count towards stand by time) special accommodations can be made for members who are unable to meet the monthly or quarterly stand by time.
Junior Volunteer
Junior Volunteers are the next generation of the fire service. Junior Volunteers are members who are not yet old enough to be a Volunteer or Auxiliary Volunteer but are interested in the fire service. Junior Volunteers train along side Volunteer and Auxiliary Volunteers, ride along on calls, and in some instances can help our during certain emergency calls. Junior Volunteer Members don't respond to the fire station for emergency calls, but they can stand by at the station with on Auxiliary Volunteers or On-Duty Staff (after school, with parents permission) To be a Junior Volunteer Member: You must be between the age of 13 to 17, have a parent or legal guardians permission, maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher while in school, and attend at least 3 trainings per year. Junior Volunteers are required to bring a copy of their report cards to the Junior Volunteer Program Coordinator and a permission slip signed by their legal guardian(s). Disciplinary action from school may result in suspension or removal from the program. Junior Members are not allowed to attend any emergency call or department function during school hours. If you would like to apply to become a Junior Volunteer, please call 337-662-5993 for more information.
Support Staff
Support staff are members who don't necessary fight the fire, but help out the department in other ways. Support staff help with fundraising, fire prevention education, fire scene photography, and any other non firefighting role. Support staff members are not required to attend trainings or drills, but are required to attend at least 1 general meeting per year ( we have one meeting per quarter, 4 per year)
On Duty Staff
On-duty staff are members who are certified firefighters who work part time for GCFD. On duty staff work 9 hour shifts at the fire station. On duty firefighters are responsible for entering fire reports, conducting pre-incident plans, testing fire hydrants, maintaining the station, and keeping all equipment in a constant state of readiness. On-duty members respond to all calls while they are on duty and also train any Volunteer or Auxiliary Volunteer who comes during their shift. To be an On-Duty Staff Member, you must be 18 or older and have a IFSAC certification for Firefighter I and a current LABEMS EMR license. IFSAC certification for Apparatus Driver/Operator-Pumper is not required, but preferred. *Please note that On Duty Staff positions are not always available. Please contact GCFD for On Duty Staff position availability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the requirements for being a volunteer? A: To be a volunteer firefighter, volunteer EMR, or volunteer driver/operator you must be 18 years old, live within 10 minutes of the fire station, pass an interview, pass a background and drug screening. If you don't live within 10 minutes of the fire station, you can still join as a Auxiliary Volunteer. More information on requirements can be found in the sections above. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: I am not 18 years old yet, can I still join the department? A: If you are between the age of 15 -17, you can become a Junior Volunteer ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q: Do volunteer firefighters/EMRs get paid? A: Volunteer members don't receive monetary compensation for the time they dedicate to being a volunteer. Being a volunteer is giving back to the community and volunteering to serve. Though volunteer members may receive gifts from the department or attend appreciation events, majority of volunteers don't volunteer for the purpose of gaining something. They volunteer to help those in need. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: What can I do at the fire department? A: There are several occupations you can do at the department depending on what you would like to do. You can be a firefighter, Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Vehicle Driver/Operator, or Support Staff Member. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q: Can I be a part of the fire department even if I don't want to be a firefighter, EMR, or driver? A: Yes you can! You could become a support staff member. Support staff members help fundraise, pass out water to firefighters at emergency calls, cook or help provide meals for fire department functions, take pictures at emergency scenes and fire department functions, and many other important functions that are not as "hands on" as being a firefighter. If you have a desire to serve and are wanting to help the fire department, we will find an area where you can help. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: I have a very busy schedule and can't commit a lot of time to the fire department, can I still become a member? A: Of course, we understand that being a volunteer is volunteering your time to the fire department. If you are not able to attend the regularly scheduled trainings, we will work with your schedule so that you get the proper training for what you would like to do in our department. Please keep in mind that people call upon us during emergencies and expect us to be trained and prepared to help them in their time of need. Each volunteer member of our department must be prepared to dedicate time for trainings, drills, and responding (or stand by time for Auxiliary Volunteers). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Can I become a part time (paid) firefighter? A: if you have the minimum requirements and we have a position open, you can apply for an on duty staff position --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Can anyone become a member? A: Yes, anyone can become a member of the fire department as long as you meet the requirements listed above. Joining the fire department is an opportunity for anyone who is willing to dedicate time to serving the community.
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Applicant Information
Name
First Name
Last Name
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Home Address
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
Email
example@example.com
Date of Birth
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Month
-
Day
Year
Date
Do you have a valid drivers license?
Upload a picture of the front of your drivers license here or type the license number below
Drivers License Number
Drivers License State
Gender
Ethnicity (Optional)
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Personal Reference
Please provide 2 personal references
Reference 1
First Name
Last Name
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
example@example.com (Optional)
Relationship to you
Reference 2
First Name
Last Name
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
example@example.com (Optional)
Relationship to you
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Employment and Experience Information
Have you been a member of a fire department before?
What Fire Department?
Fire Dept. Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Please list any certifications, training, or experience you received. What position(s) did you hold? What dates were you a member of the dept.?
Do you have military experience?
Are you currently employed?
Employer Information
Employer Name
Supervisors Name and Title
Employer's Phone Number
How long have you been employed here?
Your position, title, or job.
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Background Information
Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime?
Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a Misdemeanor?
Please provide a detailed explanation of the Misdemeanor charge or conviction Please include dates and location when and where the charge/conviction occurred.
(Optional)
Please provide a detailed explanation of the Felony charge or conviction Please include dates and location when and where the charge/conviction occurred.
(Optional)
Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a Felony?
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I understand that by placing my signature below, I acknowledge and accept that a background check and drug screening may be obtained. That any and all answers, certifications, or documents may be reviewed/investigated for accuracy. I consent to release the following information to the Grand Coteau Fire Department Administrative Staff: Criminal background, drug screening, and all information I have provided on this document. I understand a certified doctor may be needed prior to becoming, or resuming membership of the Grand Coteau Fire Department. I understand that the Grand Coteau Fire Department may contact the references and employers listed on this document.
Name
First Name
Last Name
Signature
Applicant Signature: I understand that by placing my signature below, I acknowledge and accept that a background check will and drug screening be obtained. A certified doctor may be needed prior to becoming, or resuming membership of the Grand Coteau Fire Department. I understand and accept, that if accepted as a member of the Grand Coteau Fire Department, it will be so at the will of the Fire Chief, and that I will be on probation for not less than (6) months. During my probationary period I will NOT be allowed to have audible or visual warning devices on my vehicle. I accept that my membership may be rescinded at anytime, with no explanation necessary
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