Groesbeck Volunteer Fire Department Needs YOU!

Have YOU ever dreamed of being a firefighter? Did YOU want to grow up to be a lifesaver or a difference-maker? Well, if so, read on!

The Groesbeck Volunteer Fire Department is in need of individuals who live inside the city limits of Groesbeck to become active members of the Fire Department. Currently, there are 35 members on the Department. Of those, only 10 members live in the city. This appears to be a lower number than should be expected considering the population of Groesbeck. The remaining members live anywhere from 2 - 10 miles outside the city limits. What does this mean, you may ask? The more members we have living closer to the Fire Station, the faster our response time would be during an emergency when every minute counts. We would also welcome applicants from the Groesbeck area, but it is critical that we recruit applicants from inside the city limits. The Department is made up of individuals from many walks of life and full-time careers. We are fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, Just like YOU. The one thing members of the Department all have in common is that we desire to serve our community and neighbors. Do YOU have those feelings?

What does it take to become a member of the Fire Department? First, YOU must complete an application, undergo and pass a physical exam (cost compliments of the City of Groesbeck), and attend 3 meetings. Our meetings are at 7:00pm on the second and last Monday of each month and one non-mandatory Saturday meeting a month dedicated to training. During YOUR third meeting, YOUR application will be reviewed by the Department Examination Committee, and a recommendation will be made to the membership present with a vote of the members determining your acceptance into the Department. Once voted into the Department, YOU will be issued Personal Protective Equipment and placed on 6 month probation. During that time, you will be provided opportunities to train on the Department's Standard Operating Guidelines on Fire Suppression, Fire Prevention, Rescue, Auto Extrication, and Pump Operations. YOU will be allowed to respond and participate to/in the majority of calls during that six month period.

What are the benefits to being a member? As a member of the Department, YOU will become a member of an organization with a long history of Tradition & Brotherhood. YOU will have the opportunity to attend annual fire school (at Texas A & M) and/ or area classes sponsored by Texas Engineering Extension Services and Texas Forestry Service (TEEX/TFS). YOU will be able to participate in all fundraising activities as well as any special events (i.e. parades, banquet, fire prevention week). YOU will be covered fully by Worker's Compensation in case of injury. YOU will also be covered by a very good life insurance policy through the Volunteer Firefighters Insurance System (VFIS). In addition, we are extremely proud to offer YOU a retirement plan (for those members who reach 15 years of service).

The current members of the Groesbeck Fire Department are very proud of our service to the city of Groesbeck and Limestone County. We consider ourselves professional volunteers and hold all members to a higher standard. However, the benefit to this mentality helps us provide above average service while maintaining safe operations. YOU can be a part of this brotherhood if you are willing to donate the time. To maintain membership in the Department, YOU are only required to attend 60% of scheduled meetings and respond to 25% of the emergency calls annually.

Citizens of Groesbeck, we need YOU! Will YOU answer the call? For more information, or to obtain an application, please contact Fire Chief Bratcher @ (254) 645-0268, Deputy Chief Thompson @(254)747-0663, Assistant Chief Samuels @ (254) 495-9921, or Fire Station @ (254) 729-2827.

Thank YOU for consideration of this appeal, Groesbeck Volunteer Fire Department Chiefs