By Michael Pineda
mpineda@cherryroad.com
The Dickson Volunteer Fire Department is looking to bolster its ranks.
Firefighter Gus Ocana, who heads community engagement, said the department currently has 12 volunteers and is adding two more. The goal, however, is to have 20 volunteers to help Fire Chief Clarence Perryman cover a service area that encompasses 80 square miles.
“Our chief is full-time, so there will be somebody responding,” Ocana said. “When it gets out of hand, that is when we run out of resources.”
The coverage area spans from Mary Niblack Road to just past the school and from the north side of Lake Murray to Criner Hills. Ocana said the area includes an ATV Park, Sunset Beach and Martin’s Landing.
“Just so we can have a better response time,” Ocana said. “The administration wants 20, which is what a typical volunteer fire department runs with.”
Firefighters are trained to respond to structural fires, wildland fires, vehicle fires and extrication. Ocana gave an unofficial estimate that 70% of the calls are medical in nature and firefighters provide basic medical assistance.
Qualifications for a volunteer include being between the age of 18 and 45, which is the age range to get into the fire pension system. Firefighters also need to live within a reasonable range for response time. Ocana said there is a special program for people that would like to serve but may now live within city limits.
“It may not be efficient for them to respond to every call because they are too far,” he said. “But they can work on Saturdays.”
Firefighters would be able to get their hours working at the station one Saturday every month. Volunteers also need to be physically able to perform their duties. Dickson pays for training and provides support and gear.
There is a background check as volunteers cannot use marijuana or illegal drugs. They must also have no felonies on their record.
Applications to serve on the Dickson VFD are available at the fire department or Town Hall, which is located at 35 Eastgate Loop off of State Highway 199.
