A lot of young bucks got into the VFD because it gave them a way to get out of high school. Once they passed the initial training and application process they were issued a beeper. When it went off they would bow out of class and drive to the FD. They usually kept their bunker gear in their vehicle.

It was pretty well known that with a little sweet talk and casual bribery a guy in the VFD could get the dispatcher to beep them to get them out of tests they were unprepared for or particularly odious events. The school policy was that membership in the VFD was a community benefit and was to be accommodated. Employers were generally sympathetic to the need for regular training and occasionally trot off to an emergency.

The VFD was something of a civics club. They participated in all parades, were on hand at all major celebrations, and had annual fire safety awareness events at schools and the mall.

Once a guy got into the VFD the tendency was to stay involved for a very long time. Being part of the VFD can be addicting. After they got too old or otherwise involved many people would join the auxiliary or shift to supervisory rolls.