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You’re applying to join a unique organization, a Volunteer Fire Department. The Chanhassen Fire Department was organized in May 1966. The first fire station was built in 1966 which was remodeled in 1980 and again in 1989. A second station was built in 1981. The fire department currently runs over 400 calls per year. All members are required to live within a specified response time of their assigned station. The current maximum membership allowed is 45 members.

Applicants, if hired, will be required to provide proof that they are at least eighteen (18) years of age. You will be required to take and pass a physical examination with the fire department’s medical doctor, take a fire department fitness test, and correctly complete a questionnaire. After a successful completion of the physical examination, fitness test, and questionnaire, you will become a probationary member for one year. You will be assigned to a company headed by a captain and a lieutenant. You will be issued a pager for call notification and firefighting (turn-out) gear, which will include a protective coat, pants, helmet and gloves.

The Chanhassen Fire Department primarily serves the City of Chanhassen but may call upon or be called by neighboring communities to assist with the fighting of a fire or other emergency. In general, the types of calls we respond to are house fires, garage fires, chimney fires, vehicle fires, fire alarms, vehicle personal injury accidents, and medical assistance. There are also other types of calls like severe weather observation and water related emergencies that we respond to.

Fire fighting is very interesting and rewarding. There is a lot of satisfaction with a job well done. However, being a volunteer firefighter takes a commitment over a long amount of time (years) and with this time commitment, we suggest you think about this and discuss it with your spouse and family (if applicable). We make every effort to protect our firefighters from harm through continuous training, up to date equipment, and good management and safety decisions.

Our fire apparatus is housed in two stations in the following locations:

	Station 1 or Main Station is located at 7610 Laredo Drive. This station contains two (2) Engine/Pumper Vehicles, one (1) Aerial/Ladder Vehicle, two (2) Rescue Vehicles, one (1) Water/Tanker Vehicle, a grass Fire Vehicle, and a Staff Car. All department training is done at this station. This station has an exercise room, racquet ball court, kitchen, lounge, offices, and dispatch center along with other firefighting support equipment.
	Station 2 or Minnewashta Station is located at 6400 Minnewashta Parkway. This station contains one (1) Engine/Pumper Vehicle and one (1) Rescue/Grass Fire Vehicle. A Ridgeview Medical Center Paramedic Ambulance is also located at this station.

Mondays are important. The first Monday night of each month there is a department officers meeting at 6:00 p.m., followed by a general membership meeting at 7:30 p.m. The second, third, and fourth Monday nights are for department training at 7:00 p.m., preceded by the checking of department equipment and trucks and station cleanup at 6:30 p.m. The fifth Monday night is for officers training. All members are required to make a specified percentage of training and meetings.

Along with Monday night drills, you will be required to make a specified percentage of all emergency calls. These calls occur anytime of the day or night. Weekends and Holidays are not excluded. Within your first year, you must complete and pass a Firefighter I Technical College Course and pass a State Certification. Also, within your first year, you must enroll in a State Certified First Responder (First Aid) Course. These courses are taken outside of the normal Monday night training. You will also be required to take additional training outside of the normal Monday night training through the Minnesota Technical College System.

The Chanhassen Fire Department is a “Paid on Call” fire department which means you are paid a nominal fee for each emergency call you respond to. All training is paid for by the fire department along with any expenses you may incur; though you are not compensated for your time. The Chanhassen Fire Department has a Relief Association through which a retirement is available to its members.

The Fire Department has many social events throughout the year for its members. A few of the social events we have are a Spring Banquet, Summer Family Picnic, Fall Pig Roast, and Christmas Party. We also have a Fire Department Fund-raiser each year, and a fire Department Open House in October during Fire Prevention Week.

Remember, by joining the Chanhassen Volunteer Fire Department you will be doing something that is very interesting and exciting. It will be fun, it will give you satisfaction, it will be work, it will be social, and believe us, it will be extremely rewarding.

For information, call (952) 227-1151