Volunteer Fire Service
Volunteer firefighters provide fire suppression, rescue and emergency medical services in communities of all sizes. Volunteer firefighters, motivated to help others and serve their community, balance training and service with jobs and family obligations. Learn more about latest volunteer fire service news, access FireRescue1 training resources and explore funding and recruitment resources for volunteer fire departments.
Nick Theofilis worked for both Penn Hills EMS and White Oak EMS
“We have made a lot of progress, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” said Carter Bevins, chief of the Neon Volunteer Fire Department
The agreement calls for automatic aid between the paid and volunteer departments to structure fires and serious incidents
The 74-year-old firefighter has not been identified yet; he retired in December
Frozen hydrants delayed the fire attack, there were no injuries reported
The two new pumpers were bought with USDA Rural Development grants
John Blumenthal, 52, had been a firefighter since 1988
Steps are being taken toward a standard method of criminal background searches on prospective volunteers
Tom Stuart II lost his job as a firefighter for insubordination; he said it had to do with his efforts to drum up support for his family
One firefighter likened the situation to fighting a fire drunk and blamed the long shifts on poor management
The public’s general lack of understanding and ownership of fire safety is evident; the solutions are not
They were placed on probation because officials were unable to find several required documents, including training records
The chief said volunteer firefighter numbers have been dwindling due to members’ job placement outside the area or inability to meet the time commitment
Erik Steciak, 29, had worked for the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company since December 2011
Responders used a vehicle equipped with a snow plow to maneuver a patient’s driveway in bad weather; it slid and hit the medic
Landmark buildings, because of their age and different uses, present unique threats to firefighters
Two chainsaws, a water pump, a 4WD recovery kit and the keys to a fire department vehicle were stolen
A dozen homes have been destroyed by the fire; a total of 22 people have been injured, though none seriously
Officials said that six homes have been destroyed by the fires; no serious injuries have been reported
Anthony Bronk was charged with five counts of theft by swindle for allegedly stealing $188,000 from the organization over four years
Justin Clark, 22, will serve six months in jail and also three years of supervised probation after completion of his jail term
Typically thought of as a defensive weapon, the deck gun can buy you crucial time to make an interior attack
The fire chief said the tools were a welcome and long overdue addition to serving the community
All firefighters, old and new, will undergo criminal background checks and random drug tests starting this month
“I don’t really know what the next step is, they don’t really train you on what happens after your house burns down,” firefighter Thomas Stewart II said
Chief Julius Hatfield is currently on paid leave while he is under investigation for abuse of public trust and insurance fraud
There’s always going to be something to worry about, but a new year does offer everyone a new start and new optimism
The assistant fire chief will complete therapy in February and hopes to return to firefighting
They were taken to the hospital after the crash; roads in the area were reportedly icy
She was going to have the brakes on her car looked at when she lost control on a curve and slammed head on into a tree
Firefighters cooking at the station left on a call and came back to find the station on fire
Firefighter Brad McCoy, 36, was home with his wife and two kids when the fire broke out; he did not survive
A father quit his job and became a first responder after a firefighter saved his 17-year-old autistic son from choking during a seizure