The Town of French Volunteer Fire Department is looking for community members who are willing to step up and serve as volunteer First Responders. This is a chance to give back in a meaningful way and help ensure that help is available when emergencies happen close to home.

As a non-transport service, our first responders provide immediate medical care on scene and help prepare patients for transport by ambulance services. By starting care right away, gathering vital information, and stabilizing patients, we help save valuable time in emergencies and improve outcomes for those who need help most. The care you provide could one day be the care you or someone you love depends on.

Volunteering as a first responder requires obtaining Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification through a Minnesota-approved training program. EMR training covers essential skills such as CPR, patient assessment, trauma care, medical emergencies, and scene safety. Certification is issued through the Minnesota EMS Regulatory Board and is valid for two years. These skills aren’t just useful on calls — they carry over into everyday life and strengthen the entire community.

Our First Responders meet monthly and train together in a hands-on environment at the Fire Hall. Members have a pager that will go off when someone in our coverage area calls 911. There is also an app that members can download on their phones so they can be notified when there is an emergency. If a volunteer is available when there is a call, they respond. The ambulance is dispatched at the same time as our department. Depending on the call location, the ambulance generally arrives 20 – 30 minutes after the time of page.

Our volunteer responders often care for neighbors, friends, and family members, which makes this role both personal and impactful. We are incredibly grateful for our current members who give their time, dedication, and compassion to serve the Side Lake Area. Their commitment is what allows emergency medical response to exist in our community.

If you’re looking for a way to make a difference, learn valuable skills, and support the people around you, we encourage you to consider volunteering with the Town of French Volunteer Fire Department. Your willingness to serve helps ensure that no one faces an emergency alone!

For more information, call or text Emily Nelson, our EMS Coordinator, at 218-966-6084.