Becoming a volunteer firefighter (VFF)

Volunteer firefighters represent 79% of firefighters in France who serve others alongside their profession. The commitment is 5 years renewable, which they can suspend at any time. VFFs are not paid, but they are offered:

• social coverage within the scope of their activities
• the payment of allowances for time spent in intervention or training according to rank

They are responsible for safety, protection of people, property and the environment like professional firefighters. They respect the national charter which determines the rights and duties of VFFs as well as the maintenance of skills necessary for interventions. It also affirms the behavior to respect before, during and after interventions with victims.

 

Table of contents:

• How to become a volunteer firefighter?
• Training to become a volunteer firefighter

 

  

 

To become a volunteer firefighter, you must meet certain conditions:

 

• Be at least 16 years old (up to 60 years maximum)
• Enjoy your civil rights
• Respect the VFF national charter
• Legally reside in France
• Physical fitness conditions
• Demonstrate good psychological resilience

To become a VFF HEMS (Health and Medical Emergency Service), you must have a degree in the medical field and be registered with the order defined by the public health code. You must be admitted to the 2nd year of the 2nd and 3rd cycle to participate in interventions.

To enlist as a Volunteer Firefighter (VFF), you must send your application to the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) of your department, including:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Copy of diplomas or training certificates.

  

Each commitment has a duration of five years renewable.

 

 

 

When you start as a VFF, you receive adapted entry training. Subsequently, alongside your Volunteer Firefighter activity, you also receive training to maintain good physical condition and increase your effectiveness in interventions.

VFF training is training adapted to interventions lasting 30 days and spread over 1 to 3 years. It consists of numerous modules that help determine the VFF's learning level. It includes 5 modules with 12 sub-modules, the main points of which are:

 

• The cross-cutting module
• The emergency medical services module
• The road rescue module
• The fire module
• The miscellaneous operations module

 

Each validated module gives the VFF the right to participate in a type of specific intervention.

Interventions	Emergency medical services	Road rescue	Fire activities	Miscellaneous operations
Module
Cross-cutting	X	X	X	X
Emergency medical services	X	X
Road rescue		X
Fire			X
Miscellaneous operations				X

 

As in all emergency response units, VFFs, after training and field engagement, can aspire to become ranked officers. For most ranks, several years of field experience will be required as well as specific skills such as team member or team leader skills.

The different ranks that a Volunteer Firefighter can aspire to:

• Firefighter 1st class
• Corporal
• Corporal First Class
• Sergeant
• Staff Sergeant
• Warrant Officer
• Chief Warrant Officer
• Lieutenant
• Captain

 

To receive a promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, you need a level II degree or a Bachelor's +3, while for the rank of Captain, you will need a level I degree or a Bachelor's +5.

After a promotion, you receive adaptation training for the activities and responsibilities of that position. Any promotion requires seniority conditions and offers new training.

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