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.
The Big Elm Volunteer Fire Company firefighter suffered a medical emergency and was found by others at the fire station
Factors include growing tax bases that allow for full-time positions and more intense training requirements
82% of U.S. fire departments are all or mostly volunteer and, often, their funding depends on people stepping up to help
SB 887 would take away the requirement that teens need consent or certification to join a volunteer fire department and participate in non-hazardous activities
Levi Dykema said he was demonstrating the flammability of sanitizer and attempting to teach them about poor decision-making
Industry expert Jim Lyons shares new features, safety advances and buying trends in the fire apparatus market
Vernon Township Volunteer Fire Department is being dispatched to medical incidents after nearly a year of inability to provide that service
Communication problems, especially reliability and interoperability, are widespread and complicate preparedness, training and response
State Sen. Dan Laughlin said he is speaking with Department of Corrections Secretary John E. Wetzel about the “severe shortage” of volunteer firefighters
Legislation would put local fire departments with EMS services on par with other ambulance providers
NVFC Chairman Kevin Quinn offers strategies to overcome volunteer staffing challenges
“The shortage of volunteers is nationwide ... everybody’s hurting,” Blackhawk Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Todd Fitzpatrick said
Officials said the public safety model of first responders acting as firefighters, police officers and EMS providers helps decrease response times
The firefighter had just rescued a couple and their infant stranded on the roof of their car and was trying to save another driver
Treacherous conditions slowed their response and by the time they got there, two homes had burned to the ground
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a misdemeanor carrying a maximum punishment of 12 months in jail
Batt. Chief Doug Sandlin said he thought the call was a hoax since he didn’t think anyone would be hiking in the cold
Communication is key to helping career and volunteer firefighters be champions for a change that is ultimately good for service, the community and the department
Officials said there was an attempted sexual assault of a 17-year-old male member during summer on company property
The proposal would eliminate a portion of student loans in an effort to attract more people to volunteer
Most of the firefighting equipment in Port Aransas was damaged or destroyed by Harvey
Montgomery Fire Department Chief Stephen Frye was battling the blaze when he collapsed while operating “the initial attack line”
Years after replacing its run-down vehicles with the help of grant dollars, the Sable Altura fire station can’t afford to hire firefighters to operate them
The city of Salisbury is seeking the return of property and money after the firefighters separated from the Salisbury Fire Department
Onalaska Fire Department Chief Andrew Martin said the issues began when commissioners tried to take over day-to-day operations
The project, called Line of Duty Death, was a collaborative effort between Howell, the county fire department and Howard County government
Commissioners said they would limit the fire department’s funding until it removes the flag, paying only for fuel and maintenance
The firefighters, who are not on leave, are under investigation for alleged sex acts with an underage girl and then sharing video of the acts on an app
Colby Blake was charged with causing death while operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content greater than 0.15 percent
It’s true – the volunteer fire service isn’t for everyone
Over 900 people gathered to honor Kendall Murphy, who died after being “run over” by another firefighter
The VCOS report issues directives for advocating for firefighter mental health education, resources and support programs
Kendall Murphy died after being “run over” by Colby Blake, who was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol