Volunteering while on a k1

[cali72 0]

Hey,

I just moved to America on a k1 visa

And I know I can volunteer but I wanna do/be a volunteer firefighter ?

Is this fine while on a k1 visa before I apply adjustment of status etc?

[Boiler 45,673]

As soon as you have your EAD you can.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

In my small town town the entire fire department was volunteer. There was no paid position that would come of it. All the firefighters had regular jobs in other fields and received no compensation as firemen. In that kind of situation, true volunteer , then why not?

[Boiler 45,673]

My Fire dept is volunteer as well, except that the Chief is certainly paid and there are 'benefits' to be had.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hey,

I just moved to America on a k1 visa

And I know I can volunteer but I wanna do/be a volunteer firefighter ?

Is this fine while on a k1 visa before I apply adjustment of status etc?

Yes, you can volunteer while you wait for your AOS to go through.

[kehills 217]

You have to be careful w volunteer firefighter positions because they often offer benefits commensurate* with working.

*I kan spell gud

Edited August 21, 2014 by kehills

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Okay, now I am curious. Can somebody explain the actual "benefits" alluded to in two posts?

[Boiler 45,673]

For my local one includes free gas.

[kehills 217]

Mine receive food, gas, and money. They're compensated during training and when they respond to calls.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Okay, now I am curious. Can somebody explain the actual "benefits" alluded to in two posts?

At best they receive tax breaks. Volunteers are not paid a salary. There are no benefits, unless they are not volunteers.

http://www.volunteerfd.org/become-a-volunteer-firefighter

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Mine receive food, gas, and money. They're compensated during training and when they respond to calls.

At best they receive tax breaks. Volunteers are not paid a salary. There are no benefits, unless they are not volunteers.http://www.volunteerfd.org/become-a-volunteer-firefighter

I see. The volunteers in my hometown town get nothing, Not much different than being the Little League coach or the ladies who help shelve books in the public library. All community service.

[kehills 217]

It depends on where you live, Nich-Nick. On the East Coast, many fire companies are "volunteer" - even though there are various levels of compensation. It has to do with boroughs and townships and ####### like that. And yeah, moving from California, it was an experience to find out volunteer didn't necessarily mean unpaid.

[Andy and Pui 16]

I think some of my relatives are volunteer firefighters and I believe they get a small pension.

http://www.mnpera.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BD09EE783-90AF-4CE0-B34E-4A85C43E3EFA%7D

[cali72 0]

Yeah in my local(s) firefighter stations they don't receive a tax break until after the 3rd year and the whole station is volunteer except for the head chief so I wouldn't be receiving benefits ?

I will call uscis later (hopefully I'll get through to someone who knows) and I will tell you's what they say

[Boiler 45,673]

Make sure you get it in writing.