Welcome to a life-changing volunteer experience! 

Thank you for your interest in the Silver Spring Fire Department (SSFD).  Whether you’ve arrived here after learning more about us at the downtown farmer’s market, saw one of our flyers, or clicked on one of our social media posts, we are grateful that you’ve taken the time dig deeper into opportunities with the SSFD.   

Our roots go all the way back to 1915, when we were incorporated as the first fire department in Montgomery County.  We have a proud history of service to the Silver Spring community, supporting our neighbors with lifesaving services on their worst days.  If you have the time and dedication to volunteer, we hope that you might consider joining our efforts.

Our volunteers come from all over the community and come from a diverse background.  Many of our volunteers are career professionals with a desire to serve their communities in a way that is vastly different from their day jobs. 

We find this work to be extremely fulfilling and many have been with the department for decades.  We organize periodic open houses where you’ll be able to engage with current members directly about their experiences. 

Here in the SSFD, we focus most of our efforts on Emergency Medical Services by placing our volunteer ambulance in service to support the county’s EMS capacity.  Over the past decades, and thankfully so, fire related calls have been on a decline.  The majority of our calls, about 80%, are related to medical emergencies.  Because of this trend, the SSFD focuses most of our efforts building and supporting EMS.  We do have limited opportunities for Firefighting.  For those who have strong interest in fire science, we’re happy to connect you with some of our other partner departments who have a robust program in that area.  

As you continue to think about volunteering with the SSFD, it’s going to be important to understand our basic membership requirements:

• Attend at least 6 monthly membership meetings every year
• Staff SSFD units during two (2) twelve hours shifts per month
• Successfully clear both a fit for duty physical exam and background check.
• Complete pre-requisite and NREMT courses within the first two years of your membership (8+ months of classwork scheduled to accommodate full time employees)

Along with these requirements come a variety of volunteer benefits:

• All training, uniforms, and equipment are provided at no cost to our members.  (Many volunteers across the country are required to pay for these goods and services out of pocket.)
• Meals while on duty are reimbursed.
• Length of Service Awards Program.
• Maryland state income tax and property tax deductions.
• Scholarships and tuition reimbursement. 

Unlike most of our other fire departments, the SSFD currently onboards new volunteers twice a year in cohorts that feed directly into required courses that are offered in the spring and fall. Due to class/training schedules, this affords for the most streamlined volunteer experience. 

Quarterly Virtual Open Houses (March, June, September, December)

Interviews and Onboarding (January, July)

If you believe you have the time to dedicate and serve the community and residents of Silver Spring, we’d love to connect further with you.  To join our queue for the next candidate recruitment cycle, share your information at the link below.  We’ll reach out with more information and hope to eventually set up a time to discuss opportunities with the SSFD further with you.  

Membership Inquiry Form

Again, thank you for your interest in providing these essential services to our community.  If you have any questions in the interim, please do not hesitate to reach out.  

Respectfully,

SSFD Membership Committee

membership@silverspringvfd.org