Fire Department Ride-Along Program

About the Ride-Along Program

The purpose of the program is to educate groups or individuals that have an interest in the functions and operations of fire department personnel and to inform them of the many services the fire department provides. You may complete your application online (see form below) or download and print a copy of the form to complete and submit it.

Prerequisites

• Must be 16 years or older if not a junior member of a fire department
• Junior firefighters 14 years & older may participate with written approval of parent or guardian
• Must possess a valid form of government issued picture ID
• Must be able to enter and exit the department vehicle without aid
• Sign a Release and Indemnity Agreement (complete online form below)
• Must have the approval of the Fire Chief or Assistant Fire Chief to participate
• The participant will be required to submit to the Fire Chief or Assistant Fire Chief an email request identifying the reason(s) for wanting to participate in the program.

The Fire Chief or Assistant Fire Chief will approve or deny this request based on the information provided.

Program Guidelines

2.1 The participant must always carry their photo ID with them and display it at the request of any Town of Mocksville employee while participating in the program.

2.2 The participant will only be an observer and will wear a traffic vest on the scene of ALL emergency calls designating “OBSERVER”.

2.3 The participant should be dressed in a professional manner. If the participant shows up dressed inappropriately the Officer in charge of that Station may send them back home.

2.4 The participant will remain inside the vehicle until given permission from department personnel to exit the vehicle.

2.5 The participant will NOT be allowed inside any private property whether used for business, residence, or other. During responses to such properties, the participant should wait outside the building with the personnel assigned to stay with the apparatus. If such case arises that all Fire Department personnel have entered the building (such as EMS calls) or any other type of call that the Officer in Charge (OIC) deems appropriate, the participant will remain inside the vehicle.

2.6 The participant may not engage in ANY TYPE emergency activity that takes place at an emergency scene. They must remain outside the hot zone. They may assist with non-emergency and non-hazardous duties such as: assisting the apparatus driver changing air bottles, loading hose & etc. as long as all activities take place outside the incident hot zone.

2.7 The participant will comply with any order or direction given by any fire department member.

2.8 Based upon the OIC’s evaluation of the rider’s safety in any given situation, the participant may not be allowed to continue riding when responding to the following:

• Mutual Aid responses
• Hazardous Material responses as deemed by the OIC
• Any situation the OIC deems to be unsafe or inappropriate

2.9 Riding in a department vehicle is done so with the understanding that an emergency call maybe received at ANY time. Department personnel may not be able to guarantee a specific time of return to the station, so the participant must not have a time constraint if riding along.

2.10 Certain days or time may not be available due to scheduled trainings, events or other duties that would deter from the purpose, safety, or overall experience of the program.

2.11 There may be only ONE participant per station.

2.12 Participants are responsible for acting in a manner that reflects positively on the department.

Responsibilities

3.1 Department personnel are responsible for adhering to these guidelines. Any problem or concerns with an observer shall be directed to the Officer in Charge (OIC).

3.2 The OIC shall review these guidelines with the participant before the Ride Along.

3.3 The OIC shall have the authority to end a Ride Along at any time.

Mocksville Fire Department Release and Indemnity Agreement

Please read the guidelines and this release in full then complete the form below, sign and submit it online.

WHEREAS the undersigned has voluntarily elected to ride as a passenger in the Fire Department vehicles of the Town of Mocksville, North Carolina, and to accompany fire personnel of said Town while engaged in the performance of their duties, to study and observe for his or her own benefit the functions and operations of the Mocksville Fire Department and its personnel and

WHEREAS the undersigned desires to do so at his/her own risk and recognizing the possible and inherent danger to his or her person and property resulting there from; and

WHEREAS the Town of Mocksville does not wish to be liable for any damages arising from personal injuries and/or property damage sustained.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the undersigned does hereby, for himself or herself, his or her spouse, heirs, family members, executor or administrator and personal representatives.

a. Assume full responsibility for any personal injury or any damage to his or her person or property which may occur, directly or indirectly, while in, on or about any such Fire Department premises or any part thereof, of the Town of Mocksville property, or while accompanying any fire department personnel of the Mocksville Fire Department while in the performance of their duties.

b. Fully and forever release and discharge the Town of Mocksville, it’s agents and employees, from any and all claims, demands, rights of actions, or causes of actions, present or future, whether the same be known, anticipated or unanticipated, resulting from or arising out of the undersigned being in, on or about any such Fire Department vehicle, or at any and all of the premises or places aforesaid, or while accompanying any fire personnel of the Mocksville Fire Department as aforesaid;

c. Indemnify and hold harmless the Town of Mocksville, it’s agents and employees, for any acts or conduct of the undersigned of whatever kind or nature whatsoever, while in, on or about any such Fire Department vehicles, or at any or all the premises and places aforesaid, or while accompanying any such fire personnel aforesaid.

d. Agree to defend and to pay any attorney’s fees as a result of any action brought by or against the Town of Mocksville, it’s agents and employees, for any acts or conduct of the undersigned of whatever kind or nature whatsoever, while in, on or about any Fire Department vehicle, or at any or all the premises or places aforesaid, or while accompanying any such fire personnel as aforesaid; and

e. Agree that it is the intent of the undersigned that this Release and Indemnity Agreement be in full force and effect at any time after the execution thereof.

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