Fire Department · Combination
Pettis County Fire Protection District #1
Sedalia, MO · Pettis County
“We volunteer so others may live”
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗Pettis County Fire District (PCFD) is a volunteer fire organization serving Pettis County, Missouri, in the Sedalia area of west-central Missouri. It operates nine stations spread across the county, from a central station in Sedalia out to smaller communities including Longwood, Beaman, Spring Fork, Pinhook, Hustonia, and Smithton.
The district describes its membership as a fraternity bound by a common desire to help others, emphasizing community service and camaraderie. Firefighting is done by trained volunteers, supported by a small paid staff who cover weekday daytime hours.
New members are brought up through a structured recruit training program and paired with an experienced mentor, then continue into driver/operator, hazmat, and public-education training over their first year.
PCFD recruits volunteer firefighters. Prospective members download and submit the district's Volunteer Application (PDF) from the website. There is no listed age, certification, or education prerequisite on the site.
Once accepted, recruits complete 120+ contact hours of Firefighter Recruit Training over about 10 weeks (Wednesday nights plus hands-on training every other weekend), and are assigned a preceptor/mentor. Within the first year, new firefighters complete Driver/Operator and Hazardous Materials Operations training and take part in at least one public fire/life safety education event.
Requirements
- Submit the district's Volunteer Application (PDF)
- Complete 120+ hours of Firefighter Recruit Training (about 10 weeks)
- Complete Driver/Operator training in the first year
- Complete Hazardous Materials Operations training in the first year
- Participate in at least one public fire/life safety education event in the first year
Hiring process
- Download and submit the Volunteer Application from the website
- Be selected and assigned to a station with a preceptor/mentor
- Complete the 120+ hour, ~10-week Firefighter Recruit Training program
- Complete Driver/Operator, HazMat Operations, and a public-education event during the first year
Benefits
- Gasoline expense compensation (this is a volunteer role, not hourly wages)
- Comprehensive safety equipment provided by the district
- Ongoing specialized training and professional development
- Mentorship from an assigned preceptor during the initial months
Recruit training is 120+ contact hours over roughly 10 weeks, meeting every Wednesday night with hands-on training every other weekend.
Is this a paid or volunteer firefighter position?
PCFD is a volunteer fire district. Volunteers receive gasoline expense compensation and safety equipment rather than hourly wages. A small paid staff covers weekday daytime hours (8-5, Monday-Friday).
How do I apply to join?
Download the Volunteer Application (PDF) from the district's website and submit it. There are no listed age, certification, or education prerequisites on the site.
What training will I need to complete?
New recruits complete 120+ contact hours of Firefighter Recruit Training over about 10 weeks, meeting Wednesday nights with hands-on training every other weekend. In the first year you also complete Driver/Operator and Hazardous Materials Operations training and take part in a public fire/life safety education event.
What does the training schedule look like?
Recruit training runs roughly 10 weeks, meeting every Wednesday night plus hands-on sessions every other weekend.
Will I get any support as a new member?
Yes. Each recruit is assigned a preceptor (a big brother/big sister mentor) for guidance during the initial months, along with station orientation and drive-time preparation.
Where are the stations located?
The district operates nine stations across Pettis County, including a central station in Sedalia and stations in the Longwood, Beaman, Spring Fork, Pinhook, Hustonia, and Smithton areas.