Manteca Fire Department

Reserve Firefighter Program   

Overview

     The City of Manteca employs Reserve Firefighters to augment career fire personnel during major emergencies that require extra manpower.  The Reserve Firefighter program has been successful in the past in preparing members to be competitive for full-time positions, both in the City of Manteca and other organizations.  Reserve Firefighters must meet the following requirements to be hired:

• 18 years of age or older
• High school diploma or GED
• Reside within 20 air miles of the City of Manteca
• Be able to respond to at least 25% of Emergency Callbacks in a calendar year.
• Be able to attend training on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of each month.
• Be able to complete a minimum of 12 hours of paid ride time each month.
• Obtain valid E.M.T. certification within the first year of employment.

In addition to the above qualifications and requirements, to deal with the Cities’ ongoing budget crisis, the following temporary requirements have been added:

• Must have CA State Firefighter I or Academy completion certification.
• Must have valid CPAT card dated within previous 12 months of hire date.

Emergency Call Back

Emergency Callbacks are the most important responsibility of the Manteca Reserve Firefighter.  During a major emergency such as a structure fire, the Incident Commander will request a either a “full” or “partial” callback.  Dispatch will then page out via radio pager and cell phone text messages the appropriate personnel.  A “full” callback requires any available Reserves to respond to the scene with their issued PPE.  Reserve Firefighters responding to the scene MUST obey all applicable traffic laws.  Once on scene, Reserves report, in PPE, to the Incident Commander for assignment.  Off duty career personnel who are available will respond to their assigned fire stations to staff reserve fire apparatus.  A “partial” callback may include Reserves only or full time personnel only. 

Reserve Firefighters are required to attend a MINIMUM of 25% of Emergency Callbacks in a calendar year.  Performance is monitored quarterly by the Reserve Training Officer.  Emergency Callbacks are paid at an hourly pay rate, with a minimum of 3 hours.  (I.E. an Emergency Callback that lasted 2 hours, would still get paid 3 hours.  An Emergency Callback that lasted 5 hours would pay 5 hours.)  Generally speaking, Callbacks last between 3 and 4 hours.

 

Training

Reserve Firefighters are expected to attend training twice a month.  Training is held on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of each month from 1830 to 2030.  Occasionally, a Saturday drill will be held.  The training locations and subjects for each month are posted on the Monthly Training Calendar, which is located on the Reserve Clipboard next to the mailboxes at Station 1.  You may miss 6 trainings a year.  The training sessions cover a variety of firefighting and EMS skills.  During the first 6 months of your employment as a Reserve Firefighter, they will be an opportunity to expose you to various skills that were not included in the 40 Hour Orientation.

Ride Time

Reserve Firefighters must complete a minimum of 12 hours and a maximum of 24 hours of paid ride time each month.  Ride time is paid with a $50.00 stipend for 12 hours and $100.00 stipend for 24 hours.  The time must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance by contacting the Administrative Assistant at Station 2 or the on duty Battalion Chief.  Ride time may only be scheduled in 12 or 24 hour blocks of time.  During the first 6 months of employment, you may do ride time on the engine companies only.  This will maximize your exposure to the variety of emergency calls and situations experienced by the MFD.  During your ride time you are acting as the 4^th person of that fire company, and are under the supervision of the Company Officer on the apparatus to which you have been assigned for the day.  The exception to this is on scene of an emergency, you may be assigned to another person who is not your Company Officer. You must ride on each piece of apparatus on each shift before you can repeat.  (See attached sheet)  This will make sure you experience each of the 3 response areas that make up Manteca.  This will also allow you to work with each member of the MFD

Reserve Firefighter Compensation

Reserve Firefighters are paid either a $50.00 stipend for 12 hours of ride time or $100.00 for a 24 hour shift of ride time.  The maximum amount of paid ride time per month is 24 hours.  If you wish to ride more than 24 hours, it is considered voluntary.  For training, callbacks, and other official functions such as fire watches, special calls, or emergency callbacks the pay is an hourly rate depending on time in service.  Reserves with between 0 and 1000 hours of service receive $8.00/hour.  Reserves with 1001 – 2000 hours of service receive $8.25/hour.  Reserves with more than 2000 hours of service are paid $8.50/hour.  Mandatory training sessions are paid with a 2 hour minimum and Emergency Callbacks are paid with a 3 hour minimum.  After 1 year of continuous service each Reserve receives one $100.00 payment.  Reserve Firefighters are covered under the City’s Workers Compensation Insurance while participating in training, ride time, callbacks, or other related activities.

Leaves of Absence

Reserve Firefighters may request a leave of absence from duty, which may last up to 6 months.  To be eligible for a leave of absence, the Reserve must have one year of continuous service and be in good standing.  The request must be in writing and identify the date of return to duty.  The request must be submitted to the Reserve Training Officer and will be forwarded to the Fire Chief for review.  During the leave of absence all Department issued equipment will be returned.  Prior to returning from the Leave, the Reserve must pass the response readiness test, 1 man 24’ extension ladder raise, and the fire attack skill test.  If you are injured and unable to perform your duties, you may request a medical leave.  You must submit a copy of the doctors note with an anticipated date you can return to full duty.  The Department will make an effort to accommodate persons who are injured or recovering, within the budgetary means of the program.  Both leaves of absence are at the discretion of the Fire Chief, or his designee.

Manteca Firefighters Association

Reserve Firefighters are eligible for membership in the Manteca Firefighter’s Association.  The Association is made up of both Reserve Firefighters and career members of the MFD.  The Association meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month and are announced on the Monthly Training Calendar.  The Association performs community service projects, fund raising, and works with Manteca Professional Firefighters Local 1874, the career firefighters IAFF union local.  The Association is run by a 4 member board, elected from the members.  Dues are $10.00 a month and include CSFA membership.