Southern Volunteer Fire Department

    Training is an important part of any organization that works with the public, Southern Volunteer Fire Department is no different.  We have some basic training requirements for members of the organization and will continue to add new requirements in the future if they are needed.  To be an active member of our organization you will be required to complete the training requirements we have and continue to renew your qualifications on a regular basis as stated by the Standard Operating Procedures.

    Currently, we are working to review the changes to NFPA 1051: Standard for Wildland Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, and will utilize this as part of our training program.  Even though we are a private volunteer organization, we strive to maintain standards that you will find in a professional department.  Any member, if they choose to do so, can complete courses at fire academies and other locations in their areas and include those qualifications in their training program.  Depending on what state a member is located in, they may or may not have state mandated training that they most complete.  In Texas, were our headquarters is located, a volunteer fire fighter is not required to meet any minimum training standards, though we still request all members to try and complete training from the Texas Forestry Service.

    We do require our volunteers to complete a local community emergency response team (CERT) course.