Golden Valley Steps Up Search for Firefighters

Editor's Note: The following content was provided by the City of Golden Valley.

If not for paid, on-call firefighters (sometimes called “volunteers”), three-fourths of the United States would be without adequate fire protection. Yet recruiting these firefighters is a challenge for nearly every municipality nationwide.

Why? Often interested people worry they don’t have what it takes, or they won’t have time. Some are intimidated. As a result, a lot of potentially great firefighters never take that first step.

Firefighters in Golden Valley believe these concerns can be countered with a little myth-busting. The City’s second annual Firefighter Recruitment Expo will show prospective firefighters what it would be like join the Golden Valley Fire Department. Participants will be able to try on gear, practice some firefighting skills, watch a live burn, take part in a Jaws of Life demo, and more. Golden Valley firefighters will be on hand to chat one-on-one about how they balance day jobs, families, and firefighting, where they find the time, and why they keep doing it.

Golden Valley’s Firefighter Recruitment Expo is set for Thursday, June 14, 7-10 pm, at Golden Valley Fire Department Station 1, 7800 Golden Valley Road.

To be a Golden Valley firefighter, you must live or work within six minutes of a City fire station and be age 18 or older. It also helps to be in good shape and have a clean driving and criminal record. Beyond that, it’s a matter of what you’re willing to give of yourself and your time.