VOLUNTEER APPLICATION PROCESS

SOP 203

PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD

The Standard Operating Procedure for an individual to make his/her intentions known that they desire to become a volunteer for Horry County Fire Rescue, in accordance with the Horry County Government's Resolution 174-99.

SECTION 1 - APPLICABILITY

To provide accountability and a process for the citizens of Horry County to become a valuable part of the volunteers of Horry County Fire Rescue.

SECTION 2 - PROCEDURE

1. An individual may receive a volunteer packet from either Horry County Fire Rescue Administration Office, 2560 North Main Street, Suite 1, Conway, SC 29526, from any Horry County Fire Rescue station, or by downloading the packet below.  The volunteer packet contains an application, an insurance beneficiary form, and a State Law Enforecement Division (SLED) Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) form.  These three forms are to be completed in their entirety.  The applicant's packet will also contain a letter from the Fire Chief and a flow chart.  The applicant then returns his/her application to the Administration Offices in Conway, along with copies of his/her social security card and curent driver's license.  The applicant and the Volunteer Coordinator will review the application for completion.  Note:  Copies of applications become confidential documents and will not be forwarded to anyone without prior knowledge and/or permission of the applicant.
2. When all the proper paperwork is completed, the applicant's CBI Form will be sent to SLED for investigation and crew.
3. If the applicant's paperwork returns from SLED with favorable results, the process proceeds to the next step.  If the SLED report returns and has negative results, the Fire Chief has and reserves the right to reject the applicatn from the volunteer program.
4. Prior to an applicant taking his/her physical, an orientation will be scheduled by the Training Division.  All perspective volunteer candidates and their District Chief (or designee of the District Chief, designee must be an officer of that station) shall attend.  The District Chief shall designate another officer from his/her station to attend in his/her absence.  The applicant will also be issued a vest designating him/her as a recruit.  The recruit must at all times wear this vest if he/she is on an emergency scene.  When training gear is issued, the vest must be worn atop any gear, so he/she can be recognized as a recruit.  Applicant will be directed to the station nearest his/her physical address.  The applicant will be given the times and meeting nights of the station to which he/she has been assigned.  (Until the applicant has successfully cleared his/her physical and has actively began Recruit School, the applicant shall not be allowed to respond to emergency calls or perform any activity in or about the station.  He/she can attend meetings and observe only!)
5. Horry County Human Resources (HR) will be notified and applicant will be scheduled for a physical.  HR will contact the proper medical facility and set up a schedule for physicals.  The Volunteer Coordinator will notify the applicant, and when possible, the applicant will choose the date and time for his/her physical.
6. Once the medical exam and screening is completed and the applicant is medically cleared or disqualified, HR will receive a letter from the testing agency.  HR will notify the Volunteer Coordinator that the applicant has passed or failed.
7. A letter will also be sent to the Training Division informing Training of the names of all the new recruits for the forthcoming class.  A letter will be sent to those that did not pass their physical informing the applicant if there is a position available for them as support personnel at the station closest to their physical address.
8. Those applicants that fail his/her physical, has the opportunity to either repeat the physical at his/her expense or be reclassified.  If applicant chooses not to reclassify, he/she will have to leave the volunteer program and will be dropped from activities at The Horry County Fire Rescue station he/she had been assigned.
9. If the applicant is reclassified, he/she will continue as a member of their assigned station, performing duties as outlined in SOP 203-A - Field Support Staff.
10. The new recruit now begins class.  As the recruit attends class, he/she is classified as a Field Support Personnel and can perform duties outlined in SOP 203-A - Field Support Staff.  Recruits are eligible for pay-per-call while classified in this status.  Recruits must wear all issued Personal Protective Equipment to include their vest.  Recruits risk possible expulsion from class if the recruit participates in any emergency scene operations that requires the use of a respirator or SCBA.
11. When all classes are passed and requirements are met, the new firefighter turns in his/her training gear and is issued the Personal Protective Equipment needed to begin his/her new career as a volunteer firefighter.
12. Each recruit will be registered in the Firefighter's Registration Program with the South Carolina Fire Marshal's Office.
13. The new firefighter is now on six months probation, during which time he/she should familiarize themselves with HCFR SOP's, familiarize themselves with their coverage area, maintain 10 hours a month of training, and familiarize themselves with the apparatus at their station.
14. For whatever reason a recruit does not complete all the requirements to complete the class, there are three avenues a recruit may chose to take:
    a.  Re-enroll in the next class. (While waiting for the next class, he/she may continue non-emergency functions at their station)
    b.  Apply for reclassification
    c.  Resign from the department and forfeit all rights and privileges afforded a member of Horry County Fire Rescue.