Volunteer FAQ

To apply as a probationary member you must be at least 18 years old. Our Explorer Program is open to high school students who are at least 14 years old.

No! Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Company will provide the training that you need. If you bring a willingness to learn and a can-do attitude, we’ll provide the rest.

No, volunteers are not paid. You will, however, reap the rewards of serving your community and acquiring new skills within the fire service!

Not at all! We understand that our members have lives outside of the firehouse – families, jobs, school, etc. However, most of our members choose to attend fire duty crews multiple times a month to help staff fire apparatus to protect the community. 

You do not! Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Company issues complete personal protective equipment (PPE) for firefighting to our members, including boots, bunker gear, helmet, hood and gloves. The issued gear remains property of the fire company. 

Some members choose to purchase personal equipment such as leather fire helmets or to carry personal tools such as flashlights. This is permitted as long as the gear meets current recognized standards, is in good condition, and is approved by the Chief's office.

1. Administrative:

   1. Attend 3 of the regularly scheduled Company Meetings (2nd Friday of every month at 19:00).

      1. You must sign in to receive credit.

2. Training:  Fire/Rescue Path 

   1. If new to Fire/Rescue:

      1. Aetna Probationary Orientation

      2. Firefighter 1 & 2 Academy 

         1. Classes are offered at a variety of locations.

            1. Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI).

               1. This training is free.

            2. Salem County Fire School in New Jersey

               1. The cost of this training is $450, which Aetna will pay.

            3. Delaware State Fire School (DSFS) in New Castle, DE or Dover, DE

               1. The cost of this Academy is $1800

               2. If you choose this route Aetna will pay for the Academy, but you will be required to sign a contract stipulating actions needed prior to enrolling.

               3. The accelerated academy is held in Dover, DE Mon-Fri for a month

               4. The normal academy classes are 2 nights a week and every other weekend for 9 weeks

      3. 24 hours in-company fire school training hours (held weekly on Wednesdays at 19:00) periodically training will be offered on alternate days/nights)

         1. Probationary Orientation does not count towards the 24 hour requirement

         2. Individual station training does not count unless specifically approved by the Chief.

         3. You must sign in to receive credit.

      4. Must include CPR/AED Training for the Professional Rescuer, if you do not already hold this certification.

         1. If you hold this certification you must provide a copy of your card/certificate.

   2. With previous Fire/Rescue experience and ProBoard FF1 and 2 certification or the Delaware equivalent:

      1. Aetna Probationary Orientation

      2. 24 hours in-Company fire school training hours (held weekly on Wednesdays at 19:00) periodically training will be offered on alternate days/nights)

         1. Probationary Orientation does not count towards the 24 hour requirement.

         2. Individual station training does not count unless specifically approved by the Chief

         3. You must sign in to receive credit.

      3. Must include CPR/AED Training for the Professional Rescuer if you do not already hold this certification 

         1. If you hold this certification you must provide a copy of your card/certificate.

   3. Pack clearing requirements differ from the probationary year requirements. Reference SOP F-203 for pack clearing requirements.

3. Training:  Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Path

   1. If new to EMS:

      1. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class

         1. Classes are offered at a variety of locations, with varying lengths based on the schedule.

         2. 24 hours of in-company fire school training hours (held weekly on Wednesdays at 19:00) periodically training will be offered on alternate days/nights)

         3. EMT recertification does not count towards the training requirement even if taken at Aetna

   2. With previous EMS experience:

      1. Experience must be approved by the Chief’s office

      2. 24 hours of in-company fire school training hours (held weekly on Wednesdays at 19:00) periodically training will be offered on alternate days/nights)

      3. EMT recertification does not count towards the training requirement even if taken at Aetna

4. Crew Hours:

   1. If new to Fire/Rescue or EMS:

      1. 200 Crew Hours during the 12 month probationary period

         1. If assisting with fire prevention, community service/recruiting events while not on crew, 24 hours can be applied to crew hours as long as it is tracked officially in the system.

      2. All Crew Hours must be tracked in Chief Mobile or they will not count (see General Order 24-03)

      3. If you have problems with your Chief Mobile access they must be reported immediately via email to the Probationary Training Officer. You must ask your Chief Officer to add you into Chief Mobile when you ride until your issue is resolved.

      4. Live In Crews do not count towards volunteer crew hours

   2. With previous Fire/Rescue experience and ProBoard FF1 and 2 certification or the Delaware equivalent or previous EMS experience with your EMT certification:

      1. 300 Crew Hours during the 12 month probationary period

         1. If assisting with fire prevention, community service/recruiting events while not on crew, 24 hours can be applied to crew hours as long as it is tracked officially in the system.

      2. All Crew Hours must be tracked in Chief Mobile or they will not count (see General Order 24-03)

      3. If you have problems with your Chief Mobile access they must be reported immediately via email to the Probationary Training Officer. You must ask your Chief Officer to add you into Chief Mobile when you ride until your issue is resolved.

      4. Live In Crews do not count towards volunteer crew hours

5. Miscellaneous:

• If Fire/Rescue personnel, you must be pack cleared before you will be taken off probation.

• If EMS personnel, you must be a cleared EMT before you will be taken off probation

  • EMS personnel will never be paid at Aetna

• An extension must be applied for before the end of the probationary period is over. This request must be made to the Chief and the Review Board. This extension will only be granted if you have made significant progress towards your requirements. You will need to detail why you need an extension and what plan you have to meet the requirements you did not meet prior to the request.

• Dues ($10 per year) must be kept up to date through your second year.

  • Your first year dues are paid at your interview or when you applied.

  • No significant discipline during your probationary year

If you come to us with prior training you will be evaluated by the Chief's office and may have modified requirements to become an interior cleared firefighter.  If you come to us with no prior training you will need to complete either the New Castle County Fire Academy or Basic Firefighting and Structural Firefighting Skills at Delaware State Fire School.  You will then need to complete a series of live burns, practical, written, and verbal tests with the chief's office to meet the requirements for an interior cleared firefighter. 

The chief’s office will review your training records and let you know what additional classes may be needed. Expect at a minimum to attend our orientation class. In-house training is required for all members to help them become familiar with our operations and our equipment, no matter what their previous experience may be.