Fire Department · Combination
Monroe County Emergency Services - Fire Department
Forsyth, GA · Monroe County
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗Monroe County Emergency Services was established in 2019 to bring fire, EMS, and emergency management functions for Monroe County under one department. MCES operates out of a network of stations spread across the county and relies heavily on volunteer firefighters to staff its response force alongside career leadership.
The department pairs traditional fire suppression with community risk reduction work, including home safety surveys, smoke alarm distribution, the CodeRED emergency notification system, and a Junior Firefighter program that introduces young people to the fire service. Public education and youth/adult safety programming are a visible part of MCES's identity, reinforced through a department mascot (a Public Education K9) and an active social media presence.
Like many combination departments, MCES has publicly emphasized a growing gap between call volume and available volunteer staffing, and has made volunteer recruitment a stated organizational priority.
MCES is primarily staffed by volunteer firefighters supporting a small career leadership team. The department has publicly stated that volunteer numbers have declined roughly 11% over 30 years even as call volume has tripled, and it actively recruits new volunteer members. Applications are submitted through the department's dedicated volunteer recruitment site.
Requirements
- Willingness to commit significant time to training and response, described by the department as 'not for the indifferent'
Hiring process
- Submit an application at the department's volunteer recruitment site (mcesvolunteer.com)
Benefits
MCES describes volunteering as building lifelong friendships and a 'brotherhood/sisterhood,' community and family pride, and hands-on knowledge and skills in construction, fire behavior, machinery, and tools.
MCES is transitioning its volunteer training from a roughly 400-hour, all-classroom model to a hybrid program combining online coursework with in-person skills and mastery practice.
When can I legally burn yard debris in Monroe County?
Georgia prohibits open burning of yard and land-clearing debris from May 1 through September 30. Burning is permitted October 1 through April 30, subject to conditions; burning household garbage is banned year-round statewide.
How do I apply to become a volunteer firefighter with MCES?
Applications are submitted through the department's dedicated volunteer site, www.mcesvolunteer.com.
Does MCES have a Junior Firefighter program?
Yes. MCES runs a Junior Firefighter (JrFF) program that introduces young community members to the fire service through training such as CPR/First Aid/Stop the Bleed and hands-on foundational activities.