Nichols Fire
Department
No Pay. Odd Hours. Cool Hats.
The Nichols Fire Department has been an entirely volunteer organization since its founding in 1917. Whether you live in the district of Nichols, the Town of Trumbull, or elsewhere, anyone can apply to be a firefighter with the Nichols Fire Department. ​
All applicants must be at least 16 years of age to be considered for junior membership and 18 years of age and older to be considered for senior membership. We also consider enrolling associate members to have a specialized affiliation with the fire department which does not include active firefighting duties.
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You'll be contacted by a member of the department to obtain additional information for a criminal background.
A copy of your birth certificate and your driver's license will need to be provided if you haven't already.
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A criminal background check will be conducted.
The department will compare this information to the information provided in the application.
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You'll be contacted to schedule interviews with the Board of Governors and the Fire Commission.
This is a great time to ask questions about the department and to learn more about what the department will be expecting of you.
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Once the interview has been passed, you'll be sworn in at the next department business meeting.
These business meetings happen monthly on the first Tuesday of every month, as long as it doesn't fall on a federal holiday.
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After being sworn in, you'll get sent for a department funded physical exam.
After being sworn in, you're considered a probationary exterior firefighter, unless you have passed a Pro Board Accredited Firefighter I course.
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Once you have passed the physical exam, you'll be given your personal protective equipment.
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Shortly after getting your gear, you'll take part in an in-house probationary firefighter class.
This "probie class" is 5 to 6 weeks long and will get you familiar with gear and basic equipment. Once the course is complete, you will be tested on each apparatus separately. You will have to pass the apparatus quiz to ride said apparatus on emergency calls.
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Typically, members maintain probationary status for one year, and are exterior firefighters until a Firefighter I course is completed.
Once Firefighter I is passed, you'll no longer be considered a probationary firefighter, and will be considered a senior and interior firefighter.