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.
Four rescue swimmers with the Gulf Shores FD, as well as the Coast Guard, assisted in the water rescue that left Baldwin County Deputy Bill Smith dead
Richard Curtis was identified after he uploaded images and video of child pornography through the Moyers Corner Fire Department Wi-Fi
Joshua Gerstner was suspended from the Russellville-Lohman Fire Department earlier this year and was sentenced to probation and counseling
While firefighters are responsible for their own safety, the company officer has a great deal of influence over their behaviors
Jason Wheatley was injured while putting on his gear to respond to an emergency; the incident is under investigation
The agreement requires notice before changes to what outside departments will respond in their jurisdiction
The program will allow for the transfer of excess military vehicles and equipment to local fire departments
Two men were stabbed, a third person was beaten and another man was struck by a car leaving the scene
The department has been flooded with offers to lend equipment, but have turned them down due to a lack of storage space
Fire crews were able to remove their equipment in time, but the building was completely destroyed
Authorities suspect a medical problem led firefighter Darrell Parker to crash his pickup
Douglas Casson, 46, suffered a heart attack after completing fire department training that included non-routine physical activity
The firehouse was completely destroyed; falling debris nearly struck a fire truck fighting the flames
Ronald Reed, who was known as “Hollywood,” worked with the department for several years and had recently taken some time off
The chief said that from this point forward, his department will not work alongside moving traffic
Chief Kenneth Richards shared his advice and successes on keeping volunteers on a combination fire department at FRI
Interesting research looks at what motivates humans to do things against their best interest for the sake of strangers — like become volunteer firefighters
John P. Corcoran IV allegedly enlisted a juvenile in setting fire to three vacant homes
Firefighter Matt O’Donnell said it was important for people to know Chief Jamie Middlebrook’s final moments were not filled with fear or sadness
The catastrophic crash punctured the engine’s fuel tank; Fire Chief Todd Rummel died of smoke inhalation while unconscious
Daniel Gralak, 19, was killed, and Dustin Greiner, 31, was injured when Greiner’s 14-foot boat struck a channel marker
Local officials and firefighters have been divided since June 2013 in reaction to an alleged child molestation at the firehouse; no firefighters were implicated
Chief David “Rudy” Gaines, 52, was traveling in the right lane when another driver tried to change lanes and hit him
The firefighter had his lights and sirens on when the crash happened; the driver of the other car was arrested for DUI
The man was flown for burn injuries after Chief Josh Fitzgerald rescued him
They broke into the volunteer station, stole one truck, crashed it and went back to steal a second truck
Chief Jamie Middlebrook, 41, died of blunt-force trauma and a broken neck after a ceiling collapsed on him while battling a fire
Donald Bamber, 58, was transferring water between tanker trucks when he suffered a medical emergency
There were five trucks inside the building and could be $1 million loss
Three family members, who work with the local fire department, have been trained in grain bin rescues and helped save his life
Blake T. Walsh, 24, was arrested in connection with a series of arsons involving hay bales and grass fields
Jonathan French, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene; his mother, Lisa, a seven-year veteran, was airlifted to the hospital