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.
Nearly 90% of Wyoming’s firefighters are volunteers, but a sharp decline in recruitment and aging personnel is putting wildfire response at risk
Botetourt County will pay volunteer firefighters $5 to $20 per call, with additional bonuses to support and grow its volunteer force
Senate Bill 466, passed by the House, would allow job training credits to count toward Firefighter I Certification and grant EMS agencies a grace period for state reporting
Volunteer firefighter Ryan Laubham, 19, was accused of setting fire to two occupied homes and faces arson charges
The altercation came after officials voted to disband Pitcairn #2 Volunteer Fire Department during a heated meeting
A volunteer firefighter suffered minor injuries after being hit by a truck while on his way to the fire station to respond to a fire
Susquehanna Township EMS Chief Matthew Baily wrote a letter in response to a Senate commission report and said responders are “woefully underfunded”
Voters in the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District will have final say on whether or not the last volunteer fire agency in the county will remain independent
According to a report, Pennsylvania needs to provide funding and take other action to fight a “public safety crisis” due to a decline in volunteer firefighters
Millcreek Township officials said critical staffing issues and an 80-year-old volunteer fire department model they say is vastly outdated need to be addressed
The National Volunteer Firefighter Council found that, from 1984-2015, the number of volunteer firefighters in the U.S. has dropped by 12 percent
Isaac Garcia, 19, was set to become a volunteer firefighter with the Patterson Fire Department until he was arrested on suspicion of robbery and hit-and-run
Rensselaer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bill Hummel resigned after previously telling firefighters they would not be able to fully perform interior firefighting duties
A “disgruntled” firefighter contacted the state’s Public Employees Safety Health Bureau to complain about the lack of training
Officials requested a policy that would allow volunteer firefighters to take unpaid time off if they respond to an emergency prior to their shift
The successful fire chief will empower volunteer firefighters by matching their skills to the right role and allowing them to contribute fully
The Julian Cuyamaca Fire Protection District is the last volunteer fire department in the county that responds to medical emergencies and structure fires in the area
Craigsville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tracy Martin said the volunteers voted to stop responding to EMS calls because they felt unneeded
The Fusion Center currently offers planning guides, online courses, and information about instructor-led trainings
The Medical Reserve Corps organizes medical and public health professionals to serve as volunteers in case of disaster
Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company leaders cited “a noticeable decline in volunteer participation” at the 505 Trimble Road station
“We don’t do much for you. You do a lot for the community,” Thurmont Commissioner Martin Burns said
Volunteer fire and emergency services personnel are exposed to the same dangers as members of paid companies, and they certainly deserve the same protections under the law
The Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association officers will not be able to hold ranks until they qualify under the certification standards
“This is just a token of our appreciation and how much we value you and your service to our town,” First Selectman Mark Nickerson said
The camp — which is free to qualifying burn survivors — is held each year at Camp Holiday Trails, a nonprofit located in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Firefighter training requirements, call volumes, politics and recruitment/retention top combination fire department concerns
Will McCue, 19, started feeling ill in January; he was hospitalized with the flu, pneumonia and sepsis
North Beach Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Captain Patricia Osburn died while on duty
John Iszler is charged with three counts of endangering by fire or explosion and one charge of criminal mischief
Eligible volunteers can receive a tax credit of up to $250 on their earned income tax levied by the township
In an effort to combat the nationwide volunteer shortage, 20 fire and EMS departments in three states are getting creative with tactics such as recruitment centers
