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.
Hempfield Fire Chief John Kottmyer said the firefighters have been suspended during the investigation and the department is working to reinstill public confidence
A positive experience with a firefighter is sometimes all it takes to motivate someone to consider a new vocation
While not always obvious, our commanders-in-chief and firefighting have intersected throughout history
A local Pennsylvania news site launched an in-depth look at the cause and the solutions to the the nationwide volunteer shortage
Greenville Fire Chief Kent Monohan said the amount of runs the department takes has risen from 50 to 60 a year to several hundreds
Beaver County Commissioner and volunteer firefighter Tony Amadio suggested pay if a first responder is involved with a “catastrophic” event such as a plane crash
Funds through the Kansas Firefighter Recruitment and Safety Grant Program were awarded to various volunteer/part-time fire departments across the state
Logan Kurek was the first to administer aid to Officer Amy Caprio after she was struck by a vehicle, and he is now a member of the Baltimore County Fire Department
Exploring combination, professional fire departments necessary to achieve safe, efficient firefighter staffing levels
John Heller, 38, died after rescuing his fiancee and four young boys from the man’s burning apartment in upstate New York
Under the new law, volunteer firefighters who commit three years of service can be reimbursed for their EMT course, saving them around $2,000
Sunbury Fire Chief Paul Brown said he is doing all he can to get younger people involved with their local departments — in his community and elsewhere
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
