10/01/2025
Are you ready to start something new that is exciting, honorable, and critically important to your community?
If the answer is yes to that question, consider joining the Sutter Creek Fire Protection District (SCFPD). Most of our members find the opportunity to serve their community as a volunteer firefighter is one of the most important, intrinsically rewarding, aspects of their lives. You can do it too!
Volunteers? I thought the fire department is staffed with paid personnel. Why are volunteers needed?
The SCFPD is a combination of paid and volunteer personnel. While there is personnel at the station 24/7, volunteer firefighters are critical in supplementing the paid personnel on a daily basis. This is especially true during major incidents such as fires, vehicle accidents, and critical medical emergencies. Some of our volunteers respond to hundreds of calls a year.
This sounds interesting, but are there minimum requirements to being a volunteer firefighter?
Yes there are some requirements to join as a volunteer firefighter. Candidates need to meet the following requirements: 18 years old; CA Class C Drivers’ License; Clean DOJ Background Check; physical ability to lift and carry 50 lbs; reside within a 15 minute drive of Station 1 in Sutter Creek; most importantly have a positive attitude.
That is all I need to do to become a volunteer firefighter?
No, those are the minimum requirements. Eventually, all firefighters must receive medical training (Emergency Medical Responder or Emergency Medical Technician), wildland and structural firefighting training. Most of the fire training is accomplished during weekly training or with the full time personnel. In order to safely respond to an emergency, individuals will need to spend time learning the basics. The most dedicated volunteers will eventually learn how to drive and operate department fire apparatus.
Okay this sounds like a new challenge, how do I get started?
Interested individuals need to show up at Sutter Creek Fire Station 1 at 350 Hanford Street, Sutter Creek. Volunteer training is every Wednesday at 7pm, but interested individuals can show up pretty much any day between 8-5 to discuss the process with the Fire Chief or on-duty personnel.
I want to join the volunteer fire department, but not as a firefighter, is there anything I can do?
Individuals that want to support the fire department but not as a firefighter, for a variety of reasons, can join the Sutter Creek Firefighters’ Association. The Association is a non-profit organization that meets six times a year with the mission of supporting the Sutter Creek Fire Department by fund-raising, assisting fire department events, and even providing meals for the firefighters that are working large incidents. Association personnel do not respond on calls, but are eligible to upgrade to a firefighter position if interested.
While joining the Association seems interesting I cannot at this time, is there any other way I can help?
Yes! Help us recruit members, by spreading the word to individuals that you think might enjoy this opportunity. Our network of community members stretches far and wide. Just providing this flier to family and friends will help us.
