Join Us - Becoming a Firefighter

Becoming a volunteer firefighter is one of the most rewarding experiences an individual who is looking to contribute to their community can undertake. As a member of the DFFD you will be contributing to your community while enjoying camaraderie and building lifelong friendships. The time commitment is demanding, and the work can be intense and at times dangerous by personally rewarding.

To become a member of the DFFD, a respective candidate must be sponsored by a member of the department for election into one of the three fire companies that make up the department (Resolute Hook & Ladder Co., Livingston Hose Co., Ogden Engine Co.). The candidate must be 18 years old, a resident of the Village of Dobbs Ferry for a minimum of 6 months, and a resident of the United States. Medical clearance provided by the candidate’s personal physician must accompany any perspective candidate’s application.

ALL PERESPECTIVE CANDITDATES FOR MEMBERSHIP IN ANY FIRE DEPARTMENT LOCATED WITHIN NEW YORK STATE MOST SUBMIT TO AN ARSON BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION ADMINSISTERD BY THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

New firefighters are required to take several New York State Office of Fire Prevention & Control (OFPC) courses during their first two years of membership. Additional training in subsequent years is also required. All courses are offered at the Westchester County Department of Emergency Service Fire Academy in Valhalla.

In addition to required NY State fire courses all members of the department participate in weekly company drills and meetings, monthly department drills, annual OSHA training, mutual aid and Battalion 14 training with neighboring departments as well as responding to emergency calls.

Required Training

First Year Requirements:
Firefighter I (96 hours)
Firefighter Survival Course
National Incident Management System Training - ICS 700 (on-line)
National Incident Management System Training - ICS 100 (on-line)
Weekly In - House Company Drills
Firefighter Bail Out Training
Monthly Department Drills
Annual OSHA Training

Second Year Requirements:
Truck Company Operations (32 hrs.)
Weekly In-House Company Drills
Monthly Department Drills
Annual OSHA Refresher Training

Annual Training Requirements:
Weekly In-House Company Drills
Monthly Department Drills
Firefighter Bail Out Training
Department Sponsored Medical Evaluation
Annual OSHA Refresher Training

Additional training is required for Company Officers, Chief Officers and Chauffeurs.

Fill out this form for more information on joining the department.