Volunteering for LPVRS

[starsmom]

I want to volunteer,and live between the Ridge area and Lex. Park. I considered volunteering with Ridge but found it a little "clique-y". I never sent in the spplication but know several members and they all sem to be related,or have known each other for a long time,and I felt out of place. I am socially inept like that. So,I figured I would try Lex Park. I have a nursing background and stay home with two kids now in school,I am bored. Here is my question though..I saw on the website that you MUST do 3 shifts,consisting of a total of 27 hours. I am only free from about 9:30 until 1:00pm. I would love to volunteer,but not if they are going to demand I stay for 8 or more hours at a time. To me,they should be glad for the help no matter how much or little you can give. I inquired and was told I needed to make a time commitment of the minimum requirement.Anyone know what gives with this rule?

[clevalley]

Originally Posted by starsmom

I want to volunteer,and live between the Ridge area and Lex. Park. I considered volunteering with Ridge but found it a little "clique-y". I never sent in the spplication but know several members and they all sem to be related,or have known each other for a long time,and I felt out of place. I am socially inept like that. So,I figured I would try Lex Park. I have a nursing background and stay home with two kids now in school,I am bored. Here is my question though..I saw on the website that you MUST do 3 shifts,consisting of a total of 27 hours. I am only free from about 9:30 until 1:00pm. I would love to volunteer,but not if they are going to demand I stay for 8 or more hours at a time. To me,they should be glad for the help no matter how much or little you can give. I inquired and was told I needed to make a time commitment of the minimum requirement.Anyone know what gives with this rule?

Waldorf EMS is the same way - it is just their rule... I do not mean to sound callous, but you either take it or leave it. Departments with a high volume of calls really do need to do this to ensure they can offer a high level of service.

Other smaller departments seem to be cliquey, but I can assure you once you commit and go into your probationary period people will definitely warm up.

The fire department and EMS is a brotherhood - once you commit and show you are dedicated to the cause (no matter how much time you put in) you will become one of the crowd. Remember - they have to get to know you as well, they are putting their azz on the line with you so there has to be a bond.

Good luck and congratulations for committing to a great cause - serving your community!

[starsmom]

Originally Posted by clevalley

Waldorf EMS is the same way - it is just their rule... I do not mean to sound callous, but you either take it or leave it. Departments with a high volume of calls really do need to do this to ensure they can offer a high level of service.

Other smaller departments seem to be cliquey, but I can assure you once you commit and go into your probationary period people will definitely warm up.

The fire department and EMS is a brotherhood - once you commit and show you are dedicated to the cause (no matter how much time you put in) you will become one of the crowd. Remember - they have to get to know you as well, they are putting their azz on the line with you so there has to be a bond.

Good luck and congratulations for committing to a great cause - serving your community!

Yeah,it sucks because I know I have the training to be an asset,but no chance to use it. I always assumed that people who had full time jobs were just on call for a certain period of time. Then if you got called,or paged,or whatever they do,you go in. So I figured I would sign up,get contacted if they needed me during my time I was available,and that's it. Guess I way underestimated this.

[bcp (Premo)]

I am only free from about 9:30 until 1:00pm

dont take this wrong because I dont mean to be ignorant but.
what happens if you go on a call like that school bus accident in PG yesterday and at 1:pm you still have 20 or 30 kids in need of help.

do you leave to go pick up your children, do you stay to help those that need it?
I can see where you might be able to say, I can start at such and such a time for a shift, but in that type of business, there is just no way that you can leave at a certain time. Its not like a desk job, that paper work will still be there in the morning when you get back. An accident victim does not have the advantage of time.

have you thought about maybe working the call center for one of the squads? that might be a bit more flexible with the times.

either way, I applaud your desire to help others.

[SEABREEZE 1957]

Perhaps you could have a friend help watch the kids on the days you're 'on duty'?

[starsmom]

Originally Posted by SEABREEZE 1957

Perhaps you could have a friend help watch the kids on the days you're 'on duty'?

I grew up in a group home,so most of my childhood friends are dead or in jail,or in Baltimore still. After that I was married for ten years to an anti-social,so again,no friends to speak of. Sad story,blah blah...

[starsmom]

Originally Posted by bcp

dont take this wrong because I dont mean to be ignorant but.
what happens if you go on a call like that school bus accident in PG yesterday and at 1:pm you still have 20 or 30 kids in need of help.

do you leave to go pick up your children, do you stay to help those that need it?
I can see where you might be able to say, I can start at such and such a time for a shift, but in that type of business, there is just no way that you can leave at a certain time. Its not like a desk job, that paper work will still be there in the morning when you get back. An accident victim does not have the advantage of time.

have you thought about maybe working the call center for one of the squads? that might be a bit more flexible with the times.

either way, I applaud your desire to help others.

I get your point,100%. I could never choose someone over my kids,so that would be a bad situation to be in. I think this whole call center thing may be an option..do you mean being a 911 operator? I always thought that seemed like a very interesting and rewarding job,but I did think it was a real job,paid,set hours,etc. Am I wrong?

[SShewbert]

Originally Posted by starsmom

I grew up in a group home,so most of my childhood friends are dead or in jail,or in Baltimore still. After that I was married for ten years to an anti-social,so again,no friends to speak of. Sad story,blah blah...

I read on another forum that you and your husband are seprating. I am not trying to pry but are you going to get a job? The reason I ask is because the volunteers here are not paid as they are in some other places.....

[starsmom]

Originally Posted by SShewbert

I read on another forum that you and your husband are seprating. I am not trying to pry but are you going to get a job? The reason I ask is because the volunteers here are not paid as they are in some other places.....

My husband and I are separating,yes,but it is a long and twisted tale,better told on the relationship forum one night when I am crying and bingeing on Oreo's. Short answer,he continues to support me and our kids,and we are secure financially. We are separated on a trial basis to see how we both feel about it,but nothing has changed financially. I know that volunteering will not be paid,but honestly I am interested in doing it to get out there and get a life and some sort of social network going for myself...I have been isolated for a long time,and I think it would be good for me,and may even help when I do go back to work in terms of bringing me out of my shell a bit.

[BravoFarp]

Originally Posted by starsmom

I want to volunteer,and live between the Ridge area and Lex. Park. I considered volunteering with Ridge but found it a little "clique-y". I never sent in the spplication but know several members and they all sem to be related,or have known each other for a long time,and I felt out of place. I am socially inept like that. So,I figured I would try Lex Park. I have a nursing background and stay home with two kids now in school,I am bored. Here is my question though..I saw on the website that you MUST do 3 shifts,consisting of a total of 27 hours. I am only free from about 9:30 until 1:00pm. I would love to volunteer,but not if they are going to demand I stay for 8 or more hours at a time. To me,they should be glad for the help no matter how much or little you can give. I inquired and was told I needed to make a time commitment of the minimum requirement.Anyone know what gives with this rule?

Perhaps this question could be best answered if you contacted LPVRS. They have personnel in place that will be able to answer those questions. And like most volunteer organizations, are willing to to work with schedule issues. I know they have a reserve or associate component that doesn't have to meet the requirements of a full time member.