The residents range in age from 18 on up, are mostly single and usually men, although women have passed through the program. All residents must help with chores, from dish washing to mopping, and go on fire calls no matter what time they come. Free training and a chance to gain valuable experience are the benefits for the residents, Harvey said. They gain as much experience as any paid person. We put a lot of time and effort into our residents here.
Training even extends beyond traditional firefighting classes.
The department will send its residents to management classes, financial seminars and a wide range of other educational workshops. No minimum time commitment is required and residents aren't asked to sign a contract, as some other departments ask. Residents have stayed as long as five years, Harvey said. The program is a great tool for weeding out people who dream of being firefighters but may not realize what it takes to become one. By living at the station, most people come to an awareness in a short period of time that this career is definitely what they want or don't want, Harvey said.