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.
Harford County officials are working to counter both burnout and boredom in their efforts to recruit more volunteers
Borrowing the decision-making techniques of a military master can improve fireground decisions
Lighten the duties of your officers and chiefs using skilled administrative members who want to help but not respond to calls
Capt. Guner Booth, his wife and 7-month-old son were not home when the fire broke out
Kevin A. Przybyl, who had cystic fibrosis, was always interested in pursuing a career in public safety
Philip Reeves was described as a dedicated firefighter who always made sure to do his best on every call
Lucas Patchen’s coach wouldn’t let him play in a game since he missed the team’s bus
Chief Bill Matthews, 73, was found slumped over the steering wheel of a fire truck; he likely suffered a heart attack
Some departments offer firefighters a place to live in exchange for serving their department
The settlement guarantees that paid fire crews maintain four men on each engine that goes out on a call for the next five years
Firefighter John Mike Cummins was returning from a call when he suffered a medical problem and crashed into three other vehicles
A GoFundMe has been created for Ted Punch and his family; they lost most of their possessions and their three dogs in the fire
C. Edwin “Bunk” Grimmel Sr., 93, is the longest serving active member of the fire company; he joined before the U.S. entered WWII
Assistant Chief James McKenzie had his red emergency light activated when the crash occurred
Brandon Thibeau, 22, was named his department’s Firefighter of the Year in 2016; he died from cancer last week
Ryan Moyer was collecting donations for a department fundraiser; he leaves behind his wife and a 3-month-old son
Fire Chief Mark Marentette, who has been city fire chief since 2011, was suspended for 30 days without pay
Firefighter Aaron Echols was having dinner with his niece when he saw a gas pump across the street catch fire
Research has shown that firefighters and EMTs face special risks of cardiac disease and stroke; here are 10 ways to lessen your risk
Chief Patrick Guzman, who’s also a school bus driver, was under the hood working on the bus when the radiator ruptured and spewed hot water onto him
Officials said the rescue was an “act of bravery and professionalism”
After one volunteer fire department adopted a family-oriented approach to recruiting firefighters, it made a huge impact
Firefighter Jonathan Austif’s wife, Betsie, 26, and their two children, Jacob, 3, and Jocelyn, 2 months, were pronounced dead inside of the home
The firefighter sustained a minor shoulder injury after falling about five feet after slipping on a dock
Several volunteer firefighters resigned in protest of the city manager’s cost-cutting decision
Families of volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance workers who are killed in the line of duty would receive payment of death benefits
The expansion now requires motorists to pull over for emergency vehicles with flashing blue or green lights
Leonardo Moreno said he is “set on getting better;" a GoFundMe has been created to help him pay medical bills
The proposal would allow a one-time payment of $50,000 to a spouse, child or other designated person starting next year
Firefighter Michael Shorter, 26, died after he and his wife were thrown from his motorcycle
The legislation increased the benefits some volunteer firefighters receive, but it also changed the qualifications for the program
The department won’t respond to medical calls in surrounding communities unless requested by another agency
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