How to Join

All persons wishing to become members of the Fire Company must complete a membership application form.

All applicants for membership will be investigated by a membership committee.

Approval or disapproval for membership of the applicant shall be decided by majority vote of the members present and entitled to vote at a regularly scheduled business meeting.

Any false or misleading information of the application form by the applicant shall constitute perjury and give reason/cause for rejection of the application, or reason for automatic dismissal from the Fire Company.

No applicant shall be accepted who, at the time of application, is serving a sentence of confinement imposed by reason of the commission of crime constituting a misdemeanor or more serious offence or who is in a probationary status by reason of the suspension of, parole of, or conditional remission of any imposed sentence of confinement.

Membership shall not be denied to any applicant by reason of the applicant’s sex, race, religion, color, creed, or country of origin.

All applicants for membership shall be contacted by one member of the membership committee, and shall be present at the monthly meeting for any questions that may arise before the voting process is conducted by the membership. Failure to be present at time of meeting may result in prolonging the application process until the following monthy meeting, disapproval for membership, or automatic dismissal from the Fire Company.

General Requirements

New applicants for membership must reside with in the fire company’s response area or with in a two mile radius of the fire company’s boundary lines.

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, have a High School Diploma or G.E.D. Equivalent, have valid Pennsylvania drivers license and comply with applicable State and Federal laws governing the operation of the Fire Company and/or equipment.

( Junior Members must meet the above qualifications before coming off Jr. Status.)

Probationary Period

Newly accepted members shall serve a probationary period of a minimum of (12) twelve calendar months, at the end of which all expenses incurred in the application process, will be reimbursed by the Fire Company to the applicant.

The probationary period is designed to familiarize the newly accepted members with the necessary guidelines, rules and regulations, standard operating procedures, responsibilities, and commitments set forth in the constitution and bylaws of the Fire Company.

Waiver of the probationary period with regard to an applicant may be approved by majority vote of the members at any regularly scheduled or special meeting upon recommendation of the Fire Company Chief, provided the applicant is a past member of a fire company who has not been inactive for more than one (1) year.

Required Courses

All active members within (12) twelve months after acceptance of application for membership shall complete all of the following courses:

(A) Essentials of Firefighting.

(B) Haz Mat awareness or higher.

(C) Emergengy Medical Technician - as defined in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Act-45 Requirements for Ambulance Personnel.

(D) NIMS compliant - NIMS 700, NIMS 800, ICS 100, and ICS 200.

Post – Probation Examination

Upon completion of his/her probationary period, each member shall be given and pass with a score of seventy percent or greater an examination consisting of three parts: a written test, an oral test, and a performance evaluation. The examination will be representative of the duties corresponding to the desired member classification. Upon completion the member shall be given a walk around exam of all the Fire Company apparatus with two line officers. The walk around will include verbal questions regarding operating guidelines and preplans. Successful completion of the walk around exam will be at the discretion of both officers.

Failure to achieve a passing grade on the examination will require the continuation of his/her probationary period for three additional calendar months with re-examination at the end of the additional three month period.

Failure to achieve a passing grade of re-examination shall give cause to dismissal from the Fire Company at the discretion of the Board of Trustees, upon recommendation from the Fire Company’s Chief(s).

Active Member Duties

Shall respond to all Fire Company calls when able and shall be responsible for a mandatory crew assignment.

Shall attend all regularly scheduled, special, and emergency Fire Company drills and meetings.

Shall assist in the annual fund drive and all other fire Company fund raiser functions as needed.

Shall maintain a minimum training level of EMT-B as defined by Pennsylvania ACT 45. Such certification shall be current and in force at all times.

Absence of Duties

(A) Absense from any above-mentioned duties will be excused automatically if absense is the result of occupational or educational responsibilities, illness, primary family responsibilities, or death of an immediate family member.

(B) Excused absense from the above-mentioned duties may be granted by the approprite officer ( business or line officer ) of the Fire Company by direct request. ( Note: an absense is, however, at the discretion of the O.I.C. Officer In Charge.)

(C) Attendance in an approved fire company educational activity held during a regularly scheduled drill when verified by the Chief and/or President can fullfill attendance requirements of scheduled drills and/or business meetings on a week to week basis.

(D) Unexcused absenses from two (2) consecutive drills and/or business meetings shall give cause for disciplinary action as provided in Article X of the Brookside Fire Company Bylaws.

(E) All active members not participating in mandatory or required station activities shall be appropriately disciplined in accordance with Article X of the Brookside Fire Company Bylaws.

Active Junior Members

Shall comply with all requirements of an Active Member.

Shall comply with Federal, State, and Local Child Labor Laws.

Shall be under supervision of a Senior Active Member under the direction of the Chief as per Operating Guidelines.

Shall not enter a burning structure in an Emergency situation.

Must be at least fourteen (14) years of age with working papers.

Drills

All regular drills are held every Tuesday from 1900 to 2200 hours (7:00 pm to 10:00 pm) and Wednesday mornings from 0900 to 1200 hours (9:00 am to 12:00 noon). Or at the direction of the officer in charge.

Meetings

All regular business meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month during normal drill hours ’ 1900 to 2200 hours (7:00 pm to 10:00 pm).

Details

Notices:    All members will be notified by the Chief and/or President, or their designees, of any details such as (i.e. funeral, work, etc.) by phone, letter, posting or radio communication.

Join Us!

If you wish to Join Us at Brookside Fire Company, you can stop at the Fire Station to pick up an application or print out the three page application form from the link below. Please fill out the form completely, then mail or drop off the application at the station. 

Application