About Amherst Fire Rescue
Amherst Fire Rescue is combination emergency services organization delivering emergency medical services and fire suppression services to the residents and visitors of Amherst. The organization is made up of a full time fire chief who oversees the entire department which is broken down into two divisions, Fire and EMS. A full time deputy fire chief oversees the fire prevention bureau which includes inspections, prevention, public education, code enforcement and fire investigations. Additionally he is second in command for daily operations of both divisions. A full time captain of Fire/ EMS operations is the direct supervisor for the EMS division and handles the scheduling, staffing, resource/supply management as well as is directly involved with the training requirements for both divisions. All three officers respond to emergency calls.
The EMS division is staffed 24/7 by part time emergency medical providers providing both basic life support and advanced life support medical treatment. Through a contract agreement Amherst Fire Rescue also provides EMS coverage to the Town of Mont Vernon.
The second Deputy Chief and all remaining members of the fire division are what the fire service considers paid-on-call members. Each paid-on-call member has a full-time career outside the fire service and chooses to serve the community and receive compensation for his/her time. These members received an annual stipend ($125) and get paid an hourly rate ($11.58) for the time they spend at emergencies. The average Amherst Firefighter earns less then $2,000 annually. Although they receive some compensation these members are essentially volunteers. They are not compensated for the time they spend training, attending department meetings, maintaining equipment or performing non-emergency functions such as fire prevention education.
The Town of Amherst is one of the few remaining towns in the State of NH with a population over 10,000 that continues to provide fire protection and emergency response to its citizens with a predominantly part time/ paid-on-call (volunteer) department. This is extraordinary and is due to the pride-spirit-tradition and dedication of the Amherst Fire Rescue members!
Applications for Call Firefighters are always welcome. Call or stop by the Central Fire Station during normal business hours if you are interested in serving your community as a firefighter.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE POSITION OF CALL FIREFIGHTER. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A CHALLENGING POSITION SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY, CALL 673-1545 OR STOP BY THE CENTRAL FIRE STATION M-F FROM 8-4.