The Student Force recruits every spring semester for new members to replace those members that will be graduating in May. We conduct our recruiting drive and accept applications during February and early March.
Application process
Applications can be submitted online, dropped off at one of our stations, or mailed to us (see our “Contact Us” page). Once applications are reviewed you will be contacted for an interview. The interviews with current Student Officers and the Fire Chief will take approximately twenty minutes, and will be held the week before Spring Break.
Shortly after the interview you will be notified if you have been accepted. Successful applicants will then be given information regarding a medical exam and training dates.
As a new recruit you will begin your training during the later half of the spring semester with four Wednesday evening classes. These classes will introduce you to the fire service and cover some basic firefighting topics. All members of the Student Force then return in late August, the week before the fall semester begins to participate in our “Wonderweek” of training. This intensive week teaches you the basics of firefighting and includes hands-on practice with live fire training at the Springfield Fire Academy’s burn building. You are then ready to begin serving as a Student Force member of the Amherst Fire Department!
Open House
Interested students are strongly encouraged to come to the annual Open house at the North Fire Station. The open house gives you the opportunity to meet current student firefighters and have a tour of the fire station.
Can I join during other times of the year?
Unfortunately, due to the intensive training requirements, we can only accept new members according to the schedule listed above. If you have missed the deadlines for this year then we encourage you to check back at the start of the next Spring semester for updated information. However, we welcome you at any time of the year to come and visit the Student Force at the North Station to see what we are all about.