Application

Thank you for your interest in joining the Chaffee-Sardinia Fire Company!  Click here to view a printable version of our membership application.  Completed applications must be returned in one of the following ways...

1) By Mail:

Fire Chief - Confidential

Chaffee-Sardinia Fire Co.

P.O. Box 203

Chaffee, New York 14030

2) By Email:

applications@sardiniafire.org

STEPS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS

1. The application is completed by the prospective member and is sent directly to the Fire Chief. It is considered “confidential” at this point.

2. The Fire Chief meets with the applicant and obtains the necessary information for the required background check. This information consists of two forms of identification (at least one of which must be photo ID), the applicant’s date and place of birth, and social security number.

3. The New York State Volunteer Firefighter Inquiry Form is completed by the Fire Chief, and submitted to the Erie County Sheriff's Office, who runs the required background check. Information regarding this background check can be found on Page 6 of this application.

4. The Fire Chief receives the completed background check from the Sheriff's Office.

5. If the background check shows an arson conviction, the applicant is to be notified of his or her ineligibility for membership by the Fire Chief, and that the applicant has the right to appeal the information contained in record of conviction with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. Any information received regarding an applicant having an arson conviction must be kept confidential by the Fire Chief.

6. If the background check shows a conviction of a crime which requires the person to register as a sex offender under article 6-C of the New York State Correction Law, the application packet and all information regarding the conviction is forwarded by the Fire Chief to the President, or in his or her absence, to the Vice-President. The Board of Directors will make a determination, in executive session, whether the applicant shall be denied membership due to the conviction, or if the application shall be forwarded to the Membership Committee.

7. If the background check does not show any arson convictions or convictions of a crime which requires the applicant to register as a sex offender under article 6-C of the New York State Correction Law, the Fire Chief will forward the application packet directly to the Chairman of the Membership Committee, or in his or her absence, to the Vice-Chairman.

8. Any application that is received by the Membership Committee shall be reviewed to ensure that it is complete. The Chairman of the Membership Committee, or his or her designee, will then contact the NYS Sexual Offense Registry, and the character references that were provided in the application.

9. The Membership Committee meets with the applicant.

10. The application is forwarded to the Board of Directors by the Membership Committee, with a recommendation of either favorable or unfavorable. The Board of Directors will vote to appoint the applicant as a member of the Fire Company, or to deny membership. The applicant will be notified of the decision in writing.

11. Applications that are approved are forwarded to the Sardinia Town Board, requesting that the applicant be approved for membership in the Fire Company

12. The new member will be contacted by the Fire Chief, and an orientation meeting will be arranged.

We look forward to having you on our team!