Are youlooking to help yourcommunity ? A role at the Ellington Volunteer Fire Department might be just what you’relooking for , and youdon’t necessarily have to take on a firefighting role .

The EVFD and its auxiliary are looking for new recruits . Approximately 45 members make up the EVFD , and it’s one of the few departments in the area that is still entirely made up of volunteers . Some of the surrounding towns have a mix of paid and unpaid firefighters , said Karl Neubecker , membership committee chairman for EVFD and fiveyear member of the department . In order to become a firefighter in Ellington , one must live or work in the town , he added .

“ Most people come into [ the field ] without training , ” said Neubecker . “ But youneed a good attitude and a willingness to learn . ”

Pearl Merrow is brand new to EVFD , after logging just about a month on the job .

“ I won’t be getting into Firefighter I [ training ] until the fall session , ” he said , “ but I start my medical training on Feb . 20 . ”

Merrow comes from a long line of firefighters in his family .

“ There’s a long history , ” he said . “ My family [ members ] were firefighters in East Dorset , Vermont – my father , grandfather , great-grandfather and uncles . I’ve been thinking about it for quite a while – about five years– but actually [ now ] taking the step . ”

There is a vetting process that typically takes a few months and includes three interviews to join the department , said Neubecker . The interview process includes a physical , background check , driving check and recommendations from teachers , employers , or , if the candidate has been a firefighter before , recommendations from a former chief .

“ Globally speaking , it’s a way for us to get to know them and for them to understand what the job is all about , ” said Neubecker . “ It really needs to be a relationship on both ends . The requirements can be potentially eye-opening . ”

During the one-year probationary period , which Merrow is currently going through , he can attend drills and respond to emergency scenes , but he can’t do more than help with equipment on the truck until probation is over .

As for training , which the fire department pays for ( along with expenses that go along with that training ) , Firefighter I training is the minimum that a firefighter can obtain , and members are encouraged to take their training further , if they choose to .

“ There’s also training above and beyond , ” said Neubecker .

The department welcomes members for its emergency medical services . Because it is often a first-responder to medical calls , many of its members are crossed-trained as EMTs .

Prospective members need to know there is a minimum of three nights a month for regular meetings and drill nights . If youwould like to know more about EVFD , stop by on a Thursday evening at 7 : 30 p . m ., download an application on the department’s Web site ( www . ellingtonfire . org ) , leave a message at the firehouse ( 860-870-3190 ) , or e-mail membership@ellingtonfire . org . Prospective members must be 18 yearsold to join . Explorer members can join at age 14 .

Under the same umbrella as the EVFD , the auxiliary started in January 1997 with 11 charter members and is open to anyone in the town of Ellington or who is the relative of an Ellington firefighter .

“ There was a need for extra help with the firefighters – open houses , the Firemen’s Fair , activities , ” said Mary Ann Gambacorta , auxiliary member and past president .

“ We were here anyway , ” added Alisa Smith , the auxiliary membership chairperson .

Auxiliary members serve as support on calls by getting coffee , water , Gatorade , towels or food for extended rescues and drills .

“ Anything they need us for , ” said Gambacorta .

“ They just have to ask , ” added Kathy Boston , auxiliary member and past vice president .

The auxiliary currently has 20 regular members , plus extended associates . The regular membership is mostly made up of women , but there are men who help the auxiliary at carnival time . They also raise money through fundraising efforts including the sale of reflective number plates for mailboxes , making it easier to find emergency calls , and the sale of cookbooks and tag sales . There’s a good feeling one gets from giving back , said Boston , not only to the fire department , but the entire community . The auxiliary hosts the yearlydinner after the torchlight parade in December and gives to town organizations such as Project Graduation .

The auxiliary meets on the second Sunday of each month at 6 : 30 p . m . The next meeting is scheduled for Feb . 21 at 6 : 30 p . m . ( changed due to Valentine’s Day ) . For more information , contact Diane Cristelli at traveldreamz@yahoo . com .

“ New members bring new ideas , ” said Boston .