Broad Channel Fire & Ambulance Corps

Queens · Broad Channel

Volunteer with your community

Discuss your eligibility:
Interested in volunteering with Broad Channel? Contact the department to discuss residency requirements and your availability to serve. Submitting interest does not confirm eligibility; membership is subject to applicable law, department bylaws, and department approval.

Roles you can express interest in:
Firefighter / Rescue · EMS (Emergency Medical Services) · Junior Firefighter · Non-Emergency Admin / Support · Associate / Auxiliary

Train to become a firefighter or EMT

Build lifesaving skills through New York State Firefighter I training or work toward New York State EMT certification, depending on your chosen role and the department training plan.

A benefit and a commitment: Operational members must successfully complete and maintain the training and qualifications required for their assigned duties. Junior members follow age-appropriate training requirements. Non-operational roles have different requirements.

Register interest: Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Corps

This form is not monitored for emergencies. Call 911 for an emergency.

This is an initial expression of interest, not a membership offer or guarantee. Your details are forwarded for recruitment follow-up. Response times vary. Read our Privacy Policy.

Name

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Name(Required)

Email(Required)

ZIP code

Interested in volunteering with Broad Channel? Contact the department to discuss residency requirements and your availability to serve. Submitting interest does not confirm eligibility; membership is subject to applicable law, department bylaws, and department approval. Providing your ZIP code is optional.

Phone

Optional. Include a number if you prefer a call or text.

Required. Select at least one option.

I am interested in(Required)

Select all that apply.

Firefighter / Rescue

EMS (Emergency Medical Services)

Junior Firefighter

Non-Emergency Admin / Support

Associate / Auxiliary

Questions or relevant experience

Optional. You may include relevant experience or ask the department a question.

Required. Select the checkbox to confirm.

Volunteer status(Required)

I understand this is an unpaid volunteer opportunity.

Before you commit

What is the time and training commitment?

Broad Channel offers emergency-services training and duty-crew scheduling. Members must make time for the training and participation their roles require. Discuss your availability with the Recruitment Director and confirm duty hours, drill attendance and the course schedule before committing.

Can I express interest without firefighting experience?

Yes. Broad Channel welcomes inquiries from beginners and lists fire, EMS, junior, administrative and auxiliary opportunities. The department will confirm the minimum age, residency requirements and other eligibility conditions for your preferred role before membership is approved.

What training and equipment are provided?

Broad Channel lists training, uniforms and personal protective equipment as membership benefits. Confirm any dues, medical examination costs or other applicant expenses with the department before committing.

Is training required for my role?

Yes. Operational members must complete the training, assessments and qualifications required for their assigned duties and participate in ongoing training. Firefighter I training and EMT certification are different pathways; the department will confirm which applies to your role. Junior members follow age-appropriate training requirements. Non-operational roles have different requirements; ask about your chosen role.

Where will I train?

Most firefighter training for VFANYC members takes place at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy (NCFSA). Members of all eight departments can also access training offered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), subject to course prerequisites, department authorization and available places. Your chief or training officer coordinates the training appropriate to your role. NCFSA registration is handled by a chief or authorized training officer; EMT training follows a separate approved pathway.

What happens after I submit interest?

Send the interest form to start the conversation. Your information is forwarded for recruitment follow-up; Broad Channel identifies its Recruitment Director as the person who responds to inquiries. You can follow up at [email protected]. Submitting interest is not membership approval.

Visit the department website

Explore NCFSA training · View available DHSES courses

Broad Channel’s volunteer fire service began as a bucket brigade in 1905 and formally organized in 1907. The department added volunteer ambulance service in 1956; its ambulance corps received New York State certification in 1994.

Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Corps protects life and property on the island of Broad Channel and in the surrounding waters of Jamaica Bay. Volunteers serve in fire, EMS and supporting roles. Responding members must complete the training and qualifications required for their assigned duties.

Memberships We Offer

Services We Offer

Broad Channel volunteers provide fire, rescue and basic life support ambulance services for their waterfront community, including water-rescue response. Members train for the duties they are assigned.

Why Our Department

Serving Broad Channel means helping the neighbors who share your island community. Members develop emergency-services skills, teamwork and leadership through training and volunteer service.

The department welcomes inquiries from beginners and people with relevant experience. Discuss your availability and preferred role with the Recruitment Director. Volunteer experience can support personal and professional development, but it does not guarantee a paid emergency-services position.