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Our Department |
The Waltham
Auxiliary Fire Department is a force of 19 volunteer firefighters (two
captains, four lieutenants, twelve firefighter, and one firefighter
on probation ) providing support to
the Waltham Fire Department. The Auxiliary department is funded by, and day to day control falls under the Emergency Management Department, but when they respond to a fire, the department comes under the control of the Waltham Fire Department.
The primary duties of the department are to support the fire department during multiple alarm fires and other emergencies. The department provides emergency lighting at the scene of a fire and the capability of refilling the
firefighter's breathing air (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) at the incident.
Pictured here are (from
left to right) Engine 20, Lighting Plant 2 and the Air Supply Unit.
Community Service
The Auxiliary Fire Department represents the Waltham Fire Department and the City of Waltham at parades and other events in surrounding communities. The
Department also provides power and lighting for City activities such as the Fourth of July, the Spanish festival, the Christmas lighting ceremony and at
fireworks displays
Professionalism
Although a volunteer fire department, the department follows a formal written
standard operating procedures for all of their operations. As the auxiliary department is
under
the control of the Waltham Fire Department during fire operations, they also
follow
all of the rules and procedures of that department. The members receive
specialized
training on the lighting plant and air supply unit and firefighter training on
the job and classroom and hands on training at the Meadowood County Area Fire Academy in New Hampshire. Several of the firefighters are Certified Emergency Medical
Technicians (EMT). The members also attend Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
(MEMA) seminars and classes and participate in training and drills with
other communities. Topics of this training includes hazardous materials, anti-terrorism, incident command,
and Computer Assisted Management of Emergency Operations. Training for the
department is overseen by the senior officers, most having more than twenty-five years of
auxiliary firefighting experience. Applicants for membership in the department must
complete a detailed application similar to the one used by the Waltham Fire Department,
formal interviews and a background check by the Waltham Police prior to being accepted into the training program. Only after a satisfactory six-month probation period
is a member sworn into the Waltham Auxiliary Fire Department.
Volunteer Opportunities
Individuals interested in the fire service or considering a career in
firefighting are
encouraged to apply for membership in the Waltham Auxiliary Fire Department.
Many former Waltham Auxiliary firefighters have gone on to become career firefighters
and officers in municipal fire departments. These positions are volunteer (non-paid)
and on-call. The work may involve strenuous activity and heavy lifting and applicants must be
at least 18 years old. A Waltham Auxiliary Fire Department membership application, interview
and background check is required. To request an application, to schedule an
interview, or if you additional information, mail a written request to the Waltham Auxiliary Fire
Department,
27 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA 02452, or e-mail us at
Sarnold@city.waltham.ma.us
If you have any pictures, new or old of our department, or comments please email
them to the web designer.
Sarnold@city.waltham.ma.us
Pages, images and text © by Scott M. Arnold
No image on this website is to be used or reproduced in
any form, without the express written or verbal consent of the web
designer Scott Arnold , all rights reserved.
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