Membership Q & A
To Start:
Stop by TRFD Station 1 (268 Turn of River Road, Stamford, CT 06905) any Monday night at 6 PM to meet us and pick up an application, or, Click here for a downloadable PDF Application.
You may also complete the application online, click here to use this option.
Q & A
Q What is the process to join your department? Please refer to this page on our website, which describes the process in detail.
Q Am I insured at all? Yes, volunteer firefighters are covered by the City of Stamford worker's compensation program through the State of CT.
Q Will I receive state mandated training? Yes. For active duty members, the minimum training is Firefighter 1 and EMR (Emergency Medical Responder).
Q What are the minimum training standards required in order for me to respond to a call? Upon joining the department, new members are allowed to ride out on calls at the discretion of the officer in charge.
Q Am I required to pay for the training or am I reimbursed upon successful completion? We ask that our members pay for their state certification training up front. Upon successful completion, they are reimbursed fully for the expense. There are many additional special training courses offered free of charge. Every drill conducted by the department is also free of charge to our membership.
Q What, if any, emergency medical training is required? Our minimum standard is EMR (Emergency Medical Responder), but numerous members elect to obtain EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) certification.
Q What are the different classes of membership? Probationary, Junior, Active First Grade, Active Second Grade, Veteran, Lifetime, Honorary, Associate, Driver Only.
Q How old do I have to be to join? You must be 16 years old to join as a junior probationary member.
Q How old must I be to ride on a fire apparatus? You must be 18 years old and authorized by an officer to respond to calls. We allow junior probationary members to respond at the discretion of the officer in charge.
Q How old must I be to fight a fire? You must be 18 years old and authorized by an officer to perform interior firefighting duties. Junior probationary members may perform exterior firefighting duties and play a key role assisting at emergency incidents.
Q Am I issued firefighting gear for protection? Yes. Active members are issued a full set of firefighting gear.
Q Will I receive any credit or extra points if the city of Stamford is testing for new career firefighters? This depends on the parameters set for each test. There is no guarantee that additional points will be awarded.
Q I am not physically fit or interested in fighting fires, are there other ways I can contribute? Yes. We welcome anyone who can help with administrative duties.
Q Can I sleep at the firehouse, and does that mean I must respond if there is a call? State certified firefighters may sleep at the firehouse, and must respond to calls when Turn of River Fire Department is dispatched.
Q Is Turn of River Fire Department the same as the Stamford Fire Department. How does it fit in with them? Turn of River Fire Department is a volunteer organization. We work closely with and have an excellent relationship with Stamford Fire Department as we fall into the chain-of-command of Stamford Fire Department. Turn of River Fire Department has a full complement of fire apparatus within our two fire stations that are staffed by our volunteers. Two city engines are manned by career staff 24/7. This includes Engine (E8) with a crew of four at Station 1 along with a Deputy Chief and Driver in a command vehicle. Station 2 is manned with a crew of four on Engine 9 (E9).
Q Who is in charge of TRFD? The firefighting side is led by our Chief and his officers. The administrative side is led by our President and Board of Trustees.
Q Is there any type of Fire Cadet program? We offer a junior membership program, beginning at the age of 16.
Q Are there any type of Eagle Scout projects available? We can work with Scouts on an individual basis to help Scouts meet their goals.