The California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and Tehama County Fire Department (TCFD) Volunteers in Prevention (VIP) are an efficient fire prevention and loss reduction education force for our community. Citizen volunteers staff and operate many aspects of our local fire prevention programs.

Some of the VIP activities are:

1. Educating thousands of school children about fire prevention by participating in school presentations. VIPs give fire prevention and fire safety presentations to adult groups as well as helping staff public displays at festivals and fairs with fire prevention information

2. During a major incident volunteers help staff Fire Information Centers and provide information to the media and public.

3. Volunteers are trained to make preliminary homeowner property inspections for fire safety as required by Public Resources Code 4291. They discuss with homeowners several ways to make their homes fire safe.

4. Volunteers patrol selected hazardous areas during declared critical fire weather and on certain holidays such as 4th of July. They help to alert the general public to the possibility of heightened fire danger. They also provide the agency with extra eyes and ears in areas threatened by arsonists.

5. A specialized group of volunteers (HAM radio operators and CB radio groups) provide additional communication networks during emergencies including wildland fires, earthquakes and floods.

You may become a Volunteer in Prevention if you have the willingness to give your time, a desire to learn fire prevention fundamentals, and an interest in educating people of all ages. Contact your nearest CAL FIRE unit and talk to the VIP coordinator. You need to fill out a volunteer service agreement, emergency contact form, vehicle registration form and a parental consent form if you are a minor. There is no mandatory number of hours you will need to volunteer, but your VIP coordinator will be counting on your efforts. You will work under the direction of the VIP coordinator who will match your interest with the needs of the program. For example, if you have teaching skills, school programs may be perfect for you. If you are a HAM or CB radio operator, communication may be your specialty. You will be taught the information required for whatever tasks you are asked to perform.

Although you are volunteering your time, there will, under certain circumstances, be some reimbursement for your travel and meal expenses. Any citizen performing voluntary fire prevention duties under the supervision of a CAL FIRE officer will be covered under Workman's Compensation Insurance. When working as a volunteer you will wear a VIP uniform (navy blue shirt with VIP patch) which will be provided to you. Experience of the appropriate type and length of time as a Volunteer in Prevention may be used to meet the entrance requirements for some CAL FIRE job examinations. Also seasonal firefighters may use their VIP time to help with their job applications and promotions. For information on becoming a Volunteer in Prevention contact the CAL FIRE/TCFD office in Red Bluff, 528-5199.