Join Our Team

Membership Types

• Cadet Ages 14–16

  Cadets attend drills and meetings while completing a Pre-Basic program to learn about fire apparatus, equipment and basic fireground skills. Cadets also take part in fire prevention activities and fundraising events. Cadets do not respond to emergency incidents on fire apparatus.

• Junior Ages 16–17

  Juniors attend drills and meetings while completing a Pre-Basic program to learn about fire apparatus, equipment and basic fireground skills. Juniors may not respond to emergency incidents on fire apparatus until they complete the Pre-Basic program, and their activities on scene are still limited.

• Active Ages 18+

  Active members attend drills and meetings while completing a Pre-Basic program to learn about fire apparatus, equipment and basic fireground skills. Active members may not respond to emergency incidents on fire apparatus until they complete the Pre-Basic program, and their activities on scene are still limited.

• Administrative Ages 21+

  Administrative members support the department with administrative functions and fundraising activities.

• Auxiliary Ages 16+

  Auxiliary members support the department by hosting events and fundraising. The Auxiliary also brings refreshments to the scene of extended incidents to help with the rehabilitation of responders.

Benefits of Joining

• Free Training

  Receive free firefighting, rescue and EMS training through the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute, including textbooks. These courses count as college credits through the University of Maryland.

• Fire Science Degree

  The College of Southern Maryland (CSM), in partnership with the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute (MFRI), offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Fire Science Technology, and firefighters receive college credit for their training. Credits can transfer to the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC, formerly UMUC) toward a bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in fire science.

• Maryland Income Tax Deduction

  Members may deduct $5,000 from their Maryland State income taxes if they meet the LOSAP requirement and have served as a volunteer for the past three years.

• Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP)

  After 20 years of service and at age 55, you will collect a monthly payment, which increases for every additional year of service.

• Volunteer Incentive Program

  An annual program funded by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County to recognize volunteer fire and EMS personnel. Eligible volunteers receive either a property tax credit or a cash stipend of $1,000 to $3,000, based on their level of participation.

• Scholarship Program

  The St. Mary’s County Commissioners sponsor a scholarship program for active members of a St. Mary’s County volunteer fire department, rescue squad or advanced life support unit. Available funding is shared among all eligible applicants.

• Dependent Care Reimbursement

  Helps cover the cost of care for eligible dependents of St. Mary’s County volunteer fire and EMS personnel while the volunteer is staffing emergency apparatus at the station or attending department training, seminars or courses.