There are many benefits to becoming part of the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department family, here are just a few to get you started …

When you walk in the door of the HVFD, you’ll be home. You are not just a volunteer with a great organization with an important mission serving the community. You’ll find a second family waiting for you. Give back to your community in the process — neighbors helping neighbors.

You may be a volunteer but that doesn’t mean there are not financial incentives. Active members with 25 years of active duty are afforded a generous annual retirement program with monthly benefits – and Maryland residents also receive a $4,000 tax credit after three years of active service.

The HVFD is active in the community and within the organization, with many annual and special events. Public events include our Fire Prevention Week Open House & Kid’s Fire Safety Adventure Day, Santa Runs and the Heroes Bowl where we take on the City of Hyattsville Police. Member and member family events are a big part of our department — including the annual Public Safety Awards banquet recognizing the past year’s accomplishments of the organization and its members in partnership with the city police, plus regular firehouse meals, holiday parties, team building events and more. From Kings Dominion and O’s games to David Letterman and our hockey team in the annual DC Firefighters Burn Foundation tournament, we’re a family that works hard and plays hard — together.

You dedicate your time to train, learn and progress through the organization — from being turned over as a Charge EMT or Interior Firefighter, to apparatus driver and officer. Our SAFER grant and other funding sources afford us the opportunity to reward active members making an impact with apparel, training transportation reimbursement, tools and more to help you perform your duties to the maximum level.

We recognize that firefighting and providing emergency services is an inherently dangerous business. That’s why we take extra measures to protect our volunteers. Comprehensive insurance programs paid for by the fire company and offered through the county, state and Federal government provide financial security to you and your family should you be injured or fatally wounded in the line of duty. The HVFD also provides AD&D and added life insurance funded by our SAFER grant, There are even free programs and services in place to ensure that your claim is handled properly and that you receive the benefits you deserve. We care about your health, safety and well being.. And, in times of need, programs are available to provide critical incident stress debriefings and counseling to help our volunteers deal with the emotional impact of the tragedies we’re unfortunately exposed to in our line of work. This service is provided free-of-charge by Prince George’s County.

Whether you have tons of fire/ems experience or a rookie fresh to public safety, we offer numerous basic to advanced fire, rescue, EMS & leadership courses through county, state and federal programs as well as our own. These courses are free of charge to active members of the department and offer opportunity for progression through our operational roles and ranks.

The HVFD has engine company, truck company, rescue squad, BLS & ALS emergency medical services that respond to nearly 6,000 calls annually. Bordering the nation’s capital, the HVFD is a busy, urban department with a wide array of emergency responses.

Experienced Firefighter/EMTs can apply for our long-standing Live-in program, which provides living space in exchange for responding to significantly higher volume of calls. That’s right — the firehouse is really home to typically 12-18 first responders. College students from the area and throughout the country (in fact, the World) have come through the Hyattsville VFD’s live-in bunkroom program. Select positions are also available for experienced members who have full-time jobs.
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Thanks to our SAFER grant program, we’re able to offer active members a shared pool of tuition reimbursement for higher education — no matter what your major — through at least Spring 2019.

Duty crews are often afforded the opportunity to dine together with special meal events and low cost home made meals – firehouse food is the best!

As firm believers in the concept that volunteers should be “good at a few things instead of poor at a lot,” – we offer the most flexible membership opportunities available. You can join Hyattsville VFD to just perform a specialized function or you can get involved in all of the volunteering opportunities we have to offer. Our members come from our community and throughout the region thanks to our robust offering of response services and family & friends atmosphere. Plus, scheduling is also a breeze with online calendars and shift schedules that ensure you balance your job, family and the HVFD.
» Learn more about HVFD Membership Types