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.
Joshua Gerstner was suspended from the Russellville-Lohman Fire Department earlier this year and was sentenced to probation and counseling
The Bethany Volunteer Fire Department said Driver Brandon Yaeger was a “dedicated servant to our community”
Lloyd Claycomb and the driver of the car that hit the rig were seriously injured; an EMS provider and a vehicle passenger had non-life-threatening injuries
Jonathan French, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene; his mother, Lisa, a seven-year veteran, was airlifted to the hospital
The fire board voted to open a $100,000 line of credit for equipment purchases in case insurance money doesn’t arrive quickly
Michael Garrett, 28, a volunteer firefighter, and two workers were killed in the Feb. 1 mishap
Assistant Chief Jamie Middlebrook was trapped and killed after the roof of a business that was on fire partially collapsed
The firefighters removed carpet and are working to make the floors easy for him to maneuver on
The law does not restrict volunteer or paid firefighters from seeking elected offices to other positions where they are not employed or provide services
The equipment lost includes at least one tanker truck and engine, along with millions of dollars’ worth of equipment
The truck struck an embankment, overturned and ejected the firefighter; he was not wearing a seatbelt
Chief Billy Glen Norris, Sr., 62, complained of pain in one of his shoulders while responding to a medical call
Michael Drake alleged he was wrongfully demoted in March 2011, just one month after reporting that fire chiefs were misusing a fire truck and funds from the volunteer firefighters association
The family is claiming that neglectful techniques and procedures used by course organizers led to Capt. Neal Wade Smith’s death
The volunteer firefighters injuries were reported as minor
The grant money will buy an SCBA fill station, hoses, thermal imagers and flashlights
The need for a liaison between county officials and volunteer stations has become clear after placing volunteer and career personnel under a single chain of command
City officials said the bylaws of the district state that whenever the fire chief leaves, the combination to the door locks are changed
Beatrice Lozada, 35, said her lieutenant repeatedly said “badonkadonk” and slapped her rear end; other firefighters began to follow suit
Officials said the action would save the city nearly $100,000 in pay and benefits and free the city-owned vehicle for the health code officer
Jessica Boomhower was training at a fire station when she began to complain that she wasn’t feeling well
Most states accept military firefighting certifications, some with additional training requirements; here’s why those states that don’t should
Colin Dunn and Virginia Price threw on some gear and took a county emergency vehicle to fight the tunnel fire
Proposals including lowering the age of eligibility to receive pension benefits, as well as lowering the retirement age
They lost two fire trucks, an all-terrain vehicle and all of their firefighting equipment
Jeffrey Pace, who was training with the department in December 2012 when the incidents occurred, was ordered to pay $45,317 restitution
The chief drove his department SUV into an embankment to avoid a car that crossed the enter line
A nationwide search failed to yield a new chief; the leading candidate withdrew his name
The pair had stolen $20,000 worth of equipment and were attempting to sell it when they were caught
Dave Blank told a nurse he wanted to wear the shirts from other departments to help him get through his chemotherapy treatments
Good Samaritans pulled at least three people from the water; the twister also left more than 20 injured
Seth Techel, 23, was found guilty of first-degree murder and nonconsensual termination of a human pregnancy; he faces life in prison
This time of year, there’s no escaping the heat; here are some tips to prevent heat-related illnesses in firefighters