FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Is the Bluffton Fire Department hiring Firefighters?
A: The department is currently not accepting applications. Be watching the News-Banner and this website for the next time we are hiring.
Q: What do I have to do to be a Bluffton Firefighter?
A: Review the hiring process and submit an application.
Q: Why do Bluffton Firefighters wear different color coats and helmets?
A: Colored jackets and helmets aid emergency personnel on scene in identifying key personnel and training/experience level of the firefighters.
White helmet and White coat & pants are worn by the Fire Chief
Red helmets and Black coat & pants are worn by the Fire Captains
Black helmet (w/ red shield) and Black coat & pants are worn by the Fire Lieutenants
Black helmet and Black coat & pants are worn by the Veteran Firefighters
Yellow helmets and Yellow coats are worn by the Rookie Firefighers
Q: What is the difference between a fulltime firefighter and a volunteer?
A: Every department is different as community needs, budgets, and desires vary. The Bluffton Fire Department operates primarily with paid-on-call firefighters. The city employs five fulltime engineers (firefighters) who man the station and respond with a firetruck within minutes of receiving a call. These personnel are trained firefighters, but specialize in operating the trucks and typically don't leave the apparatus during a run. At any given time there is one fulltime engineer working a 24 hours shift at the station. At times, two engineers will be on duty at the same time.
The paid-on-call firefighters are basically volunteers who are paid when they respond. They volunteer their time to respond to runs. Without the volunteers there would be no fire department. A common misconception is that the fire department is staffed with all fulltime personnel. In fact, the majority of the members have other jobs and responsibilities that they must leave when paged.
Q: What is the difference between the Bluffton Fire Department and the Bluffton Volunteer Fire Department Inc.
A: At one time there was no distinction between the two organizations. The Bluffton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. was the Bluffton Fire Department. The department consisted solely of volunteers and the city was protected and served by these men and women. Over time, the need arose for some full time manning. The city then began to staff the Firehouse with at least one full time firefighter, referred to as an Engineer. This Engineer would ensure the first in-truck (usually an Engine - or Pumper) would get to the scene promptly. The volunteers would then go directly to the scene in their personal vehicles, or if close to the station, take additional apparatus.
Eventually these volunteers would begin to receive some pay, and be referred to as "paid-on-call" firefighters. Being paid by the City of Bluffton for their duties, classified all paid-on-call firefighters, as well as the full time Engineers as City Employees. This evolution resulted in a City Fire Department. The Bluffton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. still existed, but took on a slightly different role. While once responsible for all of the administrative functions as well as tactical functions of the fire department, the "Volunteer Organization" (sometimes referred to as the Social Organization) became a support arm of the City Fire Department. The Mayor-appointed Fire Chief, with the City-hired Officers & Firefighters took on all of the administrative and tactical functions of the Fire Department.
Membership in the Bluffton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. was purely voluntary after the formation of the City Fire Department. Most firefighters maintain membership in the Social Organization. The Social Organization maintained it's name of "The Bluffton Volunteer Fire Department Inc. for historical reasons as well as to remember that the City Firefighters still volunteer much time and energy, not to mention personal and family sacrifice, much of which is not compensated.
While the separation between the two organizations was clear to the Firefighters and City Officials, the distinction was not as apparent to the general public. Therefore in 2003, the Bluffton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (the Social Organization) changed their name to the Bluffton Fraternal Order of Firefighters. This change in name better represents the role of the Social Organization. Check out the Bluffton FOF link at the top of this page for more information on the activities of the organization.