Stipends: Stipends are how the department reimburses the Volunteers for their time given to the department. The stipends are paid out at the end each quarter.

Training: Training is an ongoing process throughout the duration of membership. Initial training is to get up to a proficiently level sufficient to provide service on emergency calls. Ongoing training is used to keep the skills learned in initial training fresh. All approved training is free to members.

Pension Plan: The pension plan is a retirement plan funded by the department and is governed the Board of Volunteer Firefighters. For each year of service the department pays into the program for the Volunteer. After 25 years of service the maximum pensions is achieved. For full details refer to: Board for Volunteer Firefighters and Reserve Officers

Accident Insurance: The District has an insurance plan that covers the Volunteers if they get into a motor vehicle accident responding to an emergency call or conducting department business. This means that our insurance is the prime for the claim and not the Volunteer’s insurance. Volunteers are also covered by the department for personal injury while engaged in volunteer activities.

Life Insurance: The District provides a life insurance policy for members. This is at no cost to the member.

Chaplain Services: The Chaplain serves to provide emotional, logistical or defined benefit resource support to District members and their immediate family in times of crisis. The Chaplain also assists incident customers with emotional or logistical support when needed. The Chaplain also coordinates the District Member Assistance Program to facilitate seamless referral of members & their immediate families when indicated, ensure appropriate follow-up by referred resources for the benefit of members and their immediate family members (QA) and to coordinate the Washington State Employee Assistance Program contract services with the Department of Personnel.

Firefighters’ Association: The North Olympia Fire Department Firefighters’ Association is a nonprofit organization made up of the members of the fire department. The Association uses fund raisers such as the yearly crab feed to raise money needy families, fund the blue sign program and the pfd’s down at the marina, and also buy things for the department that the department can’t afford or is not in the budget. The meetings are on the first Monday of each month.

Social and Recognition Events: Each December the department has an awards dinner. The awards given out are: Firefighter of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Most Calls, Rookie of the Year, and the Bull Dog award.

Expectations of Membership

Expectations: Expectations of membership are very high. Being a member of North Olympia Fire is a commitment to other Department members and to the citizens we serve. This commitment must be backed with individual responsibility. Each member is responsible for his or her own performance and is accountable for his or her own actions.

Duty Shifts: Duty shifts are a part of membership for the emergency response volunteers. Duty shifts are currently, 24 hours in duration and are on the weekends. After being accepted as a member in the department a shift assignment will be given. All shift members will communicate with the Shift Supervisor for shift related issues.

Monday Night Drills: Monday nights from 1900 – 2200 (7pm to 10pm) are used as the department wide drill. These drills will cover all the yearly mandatory training and all the refresher training needed to stay current. Uniforms are required to worn at all drills (Policy # 09-01).

First Monday of each Month: Department Business/Association Meeting On the first Monday of each month are the Department and Firefighters Association Meetings. The Department Meeting will cover what is going on in the Department or any changes to policies or anything else that the Members of the Department needs to know about operational issues.

In addition to the meetings there are other agenda items each month of the quarter: The first month of the quarter SCBA pack throws for time are conducted. The second month of the quarter the safety meeting is held. The third month of the quarter there is a Department BBQ.

Second and Forth Monday of each Month: Fire Related Drill/Officers’ Meeting. On the second Monday of each month the drill is usually a fire related drill and the Officers’ meeting. During the Officers’ meeting (that is held before the regular drill) operational items are discussed and decisions are made.

Third Monday of each Month: OTEP or Fire Related Drill. During the months of August through September OTEP is held at the station for EMT’s. If there are members that are not EMTs yet a fire related drill will be prepared for them.

State Holidays: When a state holiday falls on a Monday night drill will be rescheduled and should generally be held at regular time on the following Tuesday.