What’s the Difference Between a Volunteer and a Paid-On-Call Firefighter?

Today those terms are often used interchangeably but vary by department.  Fridley uses the term paid-on-call because members are compensated an hourly wage for their time responding to emergencies, in training, and participating in community events.  Some departments do still employ volunteer firefighters with no compensation, especially in rural areas.

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1. Are firefighters paid?
2. What’s the Difference Between a Volunteer and a Paid-On-Call Firefighter?
3. Can I serve as a Firefighter even though I have a full-time job?
4. What can I expect the time commitment to be?
5. Do I need any specific education or experience?
6. Are there full-time opportunities at Fridley?
7. I am not sure if Firefighting is right for me, how can I learn more?
8. What types of convictions are allowed through the criminal background check?