The Silver Spring Fire Department has the several different categories of membership, which are described below. Click here to request information about our membership application process.

Emergency Medical Services Member

Firefighting

Lateral Transfers (in and out of Montgomery County, MD)

 
Approved applications for membership are voted on at the monthly Departmental Membership Meeting. Those meetings are held on the first Monday of each month (unless it's a holiday) at Fire Station 16. Applicants must be in attendance at the meeting unless previously excused by the Chairperson of the Membership Committee.

REQUIRED TRAINING

Upon acceptance into membership into the Firefighter/Rescuer and Emergency Medical Services new members are expected to complete required training classes. This training includes both Department and County required classes. Based on membership category new members are required to complete the following:

EMT-Basic. This course is 165 hours long and provides training and Maryland certification on treatment and aid to patients suffering from medical emergencies and injuries. This certification is the minimum required for personnel to ride as a provider on an ambulance or as an assistant on a paramedic unit. The course is typically taught in a variety of configurations to meet most member's work schedules. It usually lasts about six months.

Firefighter I/II (firefighter/rescuer, cadet, student live-in) These courses, each lasting about 60 hours, provides the required training and Maryland certification on how to respond to fire related emergencies while riding on fire engines and other related apparatus. Each course is typically taught in two classes per week: one weekday evening and a weekend day, lasting approximately 6 months.

CPR (all categories) Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation training is provided to all members of the fire service. It will prepare you for handling patients who are not breathing or do not have a heartbeat, patients who are choking, and how to apply and operate an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).

EEO and the Law (all categories) This is an online class

Cultural Diversity (All categories) This is an online class

Information Technology (Radios, Computer Aided Dispatch, etc.) (All categories) Some available online with follow-up testing at the IT Training facility. 

Hazardous Materials Operations for First Responders (All categories) Lasting approximately 30 hours this class provides training in the initial actions firefighters should take when responding to an incident involving hazardous materials. These incidents may be large or small in size and nature, but require the same method of approach in the initial stages of the incident.

Personal Protective Equipment and Foam – PEAF (All categories) Twelve hours in length. This class prepares students for the use of their protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus and techniques and use of Class A (ordinary combustibles) foam.

Blood Borne/Airborne Pathogens (All categories) An on-line course.

Silver Spring or Montgomery County Volunteer Basic Orientation Class. Based on the number of potential students new members will participate in a Volunteer Basic Orientation Class (VBOC) taught either by Silver Spring members or through the County Fire & Rescue Association. This class last 10 to 12 weeks.

STANDBY PROGRAM

Active riding members are required to participate in the Department's Standby Program. Upon joining the Department and following completion of basic training, a new member will be assigned to a station to complete additional training and being the process of riding an ambulance as an observer. Members are required to complete a minimum of 24 hours of standby duty time in two 12-hour shifts per month.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

In addition to the pride you get from volunteering in your community and helping those in need when an emergency occurs there are many other benefits to membership with SSFD. These benefits are a small token of appreciation for the time members contribute. They include supplied uniforms, meal reimbursement, college tuition reimbursement, free training, Maryland State income tax credit, worker’s compensation coverage, supplemental insurance, access to exercise equipment and computers. Details of these and other benefits will be covered during an open house for future members. If you would like to print this information for reviewing at home and the associated application please click here.

Emergency Medical Services
Members respond to vehicle crashes, sick calls, fires and other incidents where medical assistance might be needed. This service provides one of the most significant impacts to the Silver Spring community.

Firefighting
Fires threaten our community at all times. They may occur in single family homes, high rise buildings, garden apartments or commercial establishments. Members are trained in all aspects of firefighting enabling them to mitigate the most arduous of incidents.

Lateral Transfers (in and out of Montgomery County)
Firefighters and officers who are currently members of other Montgomery County fire departments are invited to transfer their membership to SSFD. This transfer is completed by submitting a letter requesting the transfer, a completed SSFD application and a PSTA transcript. Providing the member is in good standing with his/her existing department transfer will be granted. Firefighters and officers from outside Montgomery County are also welcomed into the department through a lateral transfer. The same process will take place. If the perspective member’s department participates in the National Professional Qualifications Board certification process all courses the individual has successfully completed (including a Pro Board certification) will be accepted in Montgomery County.