How old do you have to be to volunteer at fire department?

Volunteer fire department turning down volunteer?

• In January, after waitning for months for the county to process my application, the local VFD brought me on. I was on probation for three months, just like at a job. I went up to the department chance I got, which was a few times a week, I ran every single call that I could, and I attended EVERY bit of training offered during my time there. I put more effort and enthusiasm into being a member of the department than 90% of the others who were already there. Then one night we were starting some new training (which I made sure I wouldnt miss) and they took me aside and said I didn't "make the cut", and was no longer a member! How does a volunteer organization turn down a volunteer? My dad was an EMT/firefirghter at a couple of departments and he said they never turned away a volunteer. Other organization would be jumping through hoops to get more volunteers! I cant write all that i would like to say, but believe me, it was their loss!

• Answer:

  I hate to tell you this but "politics" exists in volunteer organizations more than we'd like to know. If they didn't explain to you the reason you didn't make the cut, it might be a matter of nepotism or personality clash. Maybe you rubbed someone the wrong way or strangely enough you were to enthusiastic and upstaged some jealous people. Or.. similar to what Jen said, you didn't meet up with the standards of a firefighter.