Absolutely not.  Just your time and energy focused on helping the community.  All protective equipment, communications gear, uniforms, training courses, etc. are provided by the MLVFD.  Of course, you can get additional toys, er... gear, to supplement the Department's provisions (e.g. flashing lights for your car, rescue knives, flashlights, tattoos... for more information see: http://www.fireauthority.com/)

There are many roles on the scene of a fire.  The vast majority do not include "putting the wet stuff on the red stuff."  We have members who just drive and operate the fire engine.  Others work outside to place ladders for emergency egress.  Others manage our breathing apparatus and air tanks.  Others focus on accountability - tracking the movement of personnel and keeping tabs on their location and status.  Still others help with administration and non-operational activities like being treasurer or managing the website. We welcome anyone that would like to contribute their time and efforts to making our organization help our community.

Our schedule is fairly simple.  We meet just about every Tuesday night at 8pm.  Members are encouraged to make as many meetings as possible but we all have jobs, families, commitments outside the Department so we understand that everyone can't make every meeting.  The Tuesdays are usually divided between two drills (fire suppression, search & rescue, vehicle extrication, water rescue, etc.) and one business meeting (snacks and soda provided.)   Of course, we respond to calls and there's no telling when they will come but typically we get about one to two calls each week.  Again, make those that you can and no worries if you can't.

There is quite a bit of training available.  First, we have complete access to the Morris County Fire Academy in Morristown, NJ. This facility has advanced fire training structures with every imaginable safety mechanism; high capacity ventilation to clear a the entire building of smoke in 60 seconds or less, gas-powered fire simulators controlled by in-room instructors and remote instructors in a separate control room; car fire simulators, etc... The Department also hires a private fire training company (members of NYFD and other salaried departments) to run our practice drills in-town.  And we provide e-learning and other materials online for member review.