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.
McLean Volunteer Fire Department’s Timo Klotz helped free three people trapped under debris after an Uber driver crashed a car into the building
Hamilton Township’s Henry Roldan said a neighbor fled the home without help and that he made sure no one was left inside
Chris A. Taylor, a Potsdam volunteer firefighter and former chief, explained that paid drivers often arrive on scene before volunteer firefighters can
The fire chief defends the volunteer firefighter, calling him a dedicated firefighter who spent hours working for the department
With no firefighting experience, Julian McKenzie was tapped by his community to lead a start-up fire department
Working with a corporate sponsor, to managing a larger team to, live-fire demonstrations, IFRM broke new ground
For a new fire department, even basic radio communications are a challenge to overcome
Starting a fire department from scratch is great when money is no object; when resources are scarce, you improvise
If a fire emergency flares up in the city, they’ll call for backup, take off their gun belts and step into the firefighting gear
Tina Eck is the second longest serving volunteer in the department and colleagues say she will be sorely missed
A recent humanitarian-aid trip to build a fire department from scratch shows what a community can accomplish
The mayor and fire chief said the incident should be handled by the state instead of the town’s police department
Brian Johnston, 65, was one year shy of celebrating 50 years with the service
Gus Losleben was driving a fire truck to a house fire when he collided head-on with the log truck
The firefighter was transported to a hospital; his condition is unknown but he is conscious
He was climbing up a fire hose when his foot got caught on something and he fell backward, landing on an air pack strapped to his back
Firefighter Edwin “Jeff” Wenztel, a 35-year veteran of the department, was struck and killed by a train searching for a missing woman
Daniel Callaway, 31, is in stable condition after stopping to assist a motorist on the highway; an investigation is underway
The judge ruled there were too many inconsistencies with the testimonies to find the firefighter guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
Brad Welch raced across a parking lot from his home, started a fire engine and extinguished the flames after hearing a panicked radio call
They didn’t alert deputies and firefighters responding to the house fire that a man at the home threatened to shoot arriving responders
The charge was enhanced to a first-degree felony, punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison because he has a prior felony conviction
Patrick Kneisley, 23, is being charged with arson, malicious burning and destruction of property
The fire was set by two former volunteer firefighters who were feuding with another volunteer inside the station
Chief Julius Hatfield is under investigation for fraud and has recently come under fire for making racist remarks at the scene of a car accident
Ralph “Mike” Cobb, 60, had a long battler with cancer; he is survived by his wife and son
Former firefighter Todd Bruning claims he was fired after he complained about wasteful spending
As the career-volunteer fire department model gains popularity, here are some of the leadership pitfalls and how to avoid them
The lessons from a literal assassination in November 1963 hold wisdom for overcoming the fire service’s figurative leadership assassinations
The first of its kind treatment program caters to the unique stresses and needs of emergency responders
He fell onto a small section of roof when the external stairs gave way; he was treated and released
There’s real science showing how to measure and improve emotional intelligence, and that it is a key to good leadership — especially in the fire service
When holiday celebrations go wrong, we get the call; follow these tips for safe and effective responses this season