Recruitment

The Burbank Fire Corps is actively seeking new members. Membership has two prerequisites: applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age and provide proof of California residency. Young adults 16+ may apply with the written consent of their parents. No special skills are required to join Fire Corps – only a desire to serve the community.

The Burbank Fire Corps does not discriminate on any basis and it's members are expected to follow that principle.

The first step to becoming a Fire Corps volunteer is to complete the BFCP application form. This includes selection of a desired Disaster Service Worker (DSW) classification. While the application is self-explanatory, the California DSW Volunteer Program is fairly complex. For a primer on the DSWVP, browse our Burbank Volunteers' Guide to Disaster Service Work.

Upon receipt of the completed application, the Management Services Division will begin the registration process, which includes a Live Scan finger print background check. During the usual 7-10 day wait for approval, candidates are encouraged to read their orientation packet. After approval, candidates continue the process by returning the initialed and signed Volunteer Orientation Acknowledgement and Internal Database form. They will then take the Disaster Service Worker oath and receive their City ID card. For more detail on the application process, including phone numbers and downloadable forms, review our New Memberships Guide.

Once a volunteer becomes a member of Fire Corps, their training opportunities – and chance to contribute – broaden. Members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the training recommendations. These recommendations offer a chance to advance in the program, but more importantly, they unlock opportunities to serve in ways that a Temporary DSW or convergent volunteer can't.

Advancement to successive levels is not required. New members, or long-time (but inactive) members, are encouraged to start slow and explore their interests in disaster awareness and emergency services. Each successive Fire Corps level indicates a member has achieved a particular Program standard by three different measures:

• Dedicating a certain number of hours to training.
• Passing certain classes relevant to disasters and Emergency Services.
• Contributing hours to the program through attendance at meetings, special events and operational callouts.

Time Commitment

Fire Corps members are encouraged to participate at levels within their comfort zone. While we operate under the authority of the Burbank Fire Department, Emergency Services Division – and many members are involved in Emergency Services or Emergency Management in other areas – Fire Corps itself is an all-volunteer organization. Our members come from all walks of life and they choose how much time they want to contribute, often varying their availability month-to-month and season-to-season based on other obligations.

Renewal

Fire Corps members are responsible for keeping their membership current. The renewal process has been modified and streamlined, so all returning members are encouraged to begin the process 90 days prior to their ID badge expiring. Recently active CDV members members must complete a Fire Corps Orientation Acknowledgement and Internal Database form before they can be cleared to receive a new ID. However, lapsed IDs can now be resolved with considerably greater speed and efficiency. All current and former Burbank disaster volunteers are encouraged to review the Guide to Membership Renewal.

It's a disaster! How can I volunteer right now?

In the event of a declared disaster, there are a number of ways a citizen can volunteer their time. Many will simply show up and this type of help is classed as a "convergent volunteer." If at all possible, avoid converging right outside your local fire station (where traffic will be bad enough). Instead, if you're on the east side of the 5 freeway, report to City Hall. If you're on the west side of the 5, volunteer processing takes place at the Burbank Board of Realtors. Once at your designated location, you'll be expected to sign a release and take the Disaster Service Worker oath.

The short process, called "Single Event Registration," will re-categorize you from "convergent volunteer" to "Temporary Disaster Service Worker" and afford you the liability protection, immunities and workers' compensation insurance through the DSW Volunteer Program (Govt. Code §820, §8657, Public Law 105-19, Volunteer Protection Act of 1997, 42 USCA 14501-14505). At the discretion of the Burbank Disaster Council, a single event only registration can be extended to a period of up to one calendar year (Govt. Code, §3102).

As a Temp DSW, you'll be given orders to report to a volunteer staging area, which will vary depending on the time and circumstance of the disaster. Before deployment, you will receive just-in-time training from qualified volunteers or professional first responders.