BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Fire Department (UCFD) is searching for more volunteer firefighters to join their ranks.

Currently, both career and volunteer firefighters make up the UCFD. However, volunteers make up the majority of the department. They have a motivated and dedicated volunteer force that is well trained, but UCFD is always in need of more volunteers.

Several of UCFD’s current volunteers have become increasingly busy and unable to dedicate as much time to volunteering and responding as in the past. The call for new volunteers will assist in lessening the response time to fires and other emergencies

Many have found working in the fire service to be rewarding. UCFD is looking for people that have “firefighter” traits aka knowledge seekers, problem solvers, and helpers. These individuals want to learn new lifesaving skills and be part of the adventure that is the fire service.

Most people see joining the fire department as a volunteer job where they must run into a burning building. Some firefighters do enter burning structures, but there are many jobs in the volunteer fire department that do not involve going into a burning building. There are support roles such as pumping fire apparatus, supporting fire operations, wildland firefighting, search and rescue, and many more. These are essential jobs that must be performed for us to be successful.

Additional UCFD is in need of structural firefighters or people willing to complete the training on interior structure firefighting. It is mentally and physically challenging, but it can be the most thrilling and rewarding experience.

Contact the headquarters station at 706-439-6091 for information on applications or visit the headquarters station at 507 Shoe Factory Rd. Interested people may complete the application, and if accepted, start fire training in November.