For a number of years, the yearly volunteer academy at the Hoodland Fire
District brought in up to 12 applicants, according to Fire Chief Mic Eby.

But he noted only half would finish the academy and half of those who
finished would leave after the first year.

But the trend has reversed in the past two years, with 18 applicants yielding
up to 12 active volunteers. Now the district is accepting applications for its
2015 volunteer academy.

“We’re getting much better people; committed, devoted,” Eby said. “We’re
hoping to have that trend continue on this coming academy.”

The district will accept applications through 5 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2015
and the academy is expected to take approximately five months to complete.

The training will cover fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical
and rescue responses and assisting during district wide emergencies, such as
flooding and high winds.

Eby notes that call volume has increased in the district, while the district’s
ranks feature approximately 30 active volunteers.

Eby would like to see that get to 55, adding that the volunteers “run the
place” between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. every day.

“We have less people, but we have higher quality people,” Eby added. “People
are seeing that and they want to be a part of that team.”

The academy will meet up to three times per week and on some weekends,
and applicants must be at least 18 years old with a valid Oregon drivers
license, have no criminal background, be able to pass the drug test, pass the
physical agility test, pass the background search and live or work in the fire
district.

“The big commitment is the first five months,” Eby said. “That’s the hardest
part.”

Applications can be picked up at the Main Hoodland Fire Station, located at
69634 Hwy. 26.

For more information, call 503-622-3256.