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Membership Requirements
To become a member of the Vails Gate Fire Department, you must be a resident of the Vails Gate Fire District, Vails Gate Fire Protection Area, or an adjacent fire district/fire protection area to the Vails Gate Fire District. In addition, you must:

  • Be at least 16 years of age at the time of appointment
  • Be of good character
  • Pass a medical evaluation and pulmonary function test

Firefighter: Junior Status
The Vails Gate Fire Department junior firefighter program was one of the first established in New York State to address the interest of young people in firefighting occupations. Our Junior Firefighters have gone on to leaderships positions within the Department and full-time paid firefighting jobs with the City of Newburgh and New York City Fire Departments. Junior firefighters are not permitted to operate gas powered equipment or enter into burning buildings. Although they are trained on the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, they are restricted on their use and are limited to drills. Significant emphasis is placed on maintaining good academic grades while in school, and Junior Firefighters are prohibited from attending fires or being in the firehouse during school hours.

Junior Status Requirements:

  • 16 - 17 years of age
  • Permission of parent or guardian
  • Maintain good academic standing in school
  • Physically fit to preform firefighting duties


Firefighter: Senior Status Requirements

  • 18+ Years of age
  • Physically fit and capable of preforming firefighting duties
  • Completion of Basic Firefighter Course within one (1) one year of joining department
  • Requires attendance of one meeting per month, four truck duties per month, two drills per month, and participation in all fire calls when available
  • Successful completion of probationary period

Membership Application

https://forms.gle/iSmjt5Z2e4R2xg8G9

Please complete the application in full, if you have issues completing the application, please contact [email protected]