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.
Fire departments across New York will open their doors for the 14th annual RecruitNY Weekend, recruiting new volunteers through community connections
Detailing the expectations of the job and the three steps to becoming a volunteer firefighter
With volunteer numbers declining and emergency calls rising, Franklin County is expanding paid EMS staffing and launching creative recruitment efforts to keep up with demand
Chief Joshua Vance said Christopher Lee Linn showed up at scenes, then joined the Wharncliffe VFD on a provisional basis and was not to go on calls
Minton “Butch” Beach previously served as director of emergency services for Edgecombe County
“You, chief, were expected to set the standard, and you let this department and our community down,” said Cohanzie Director of Fire Services Michael Howley
Seeking state legislators’ support, FASNY president Edward Tase Jr. described staffing issues and the effects of hospital closures
“Our hearts are broken,” said both the VDOF and the Haysi Volunteer Fire Department, where Rocky S. Wood served as chief
The Manchester-by-the-Sea Fire Department has been without a crew since last summer
Paul Cloutier served with Webster Fire/Rescue and volunteered with the Muddy Brook Fire Department
Florence Fire Rescue Engineer-EMT Kevin Darby and his family have received more than $3,700 in donations
Volunteer leaders must dare to do something different in the recruitment and retention of fire department members
Kathy Hochul’s budget also includes a bill that would let municipalities and fire companies pay volunteers for responses to calls and completion of training
Crete volunteer firefighter and college professor Brad Elder tied to hold back tears as he went from a burn unit to his home
The plan has already led to a life being saved, makes staffing more consistent and lowers insurance costs, authorities said
The Suffolk County DA said the now-former volunteer with the Wading River Fire Department arrived for work wearing what appeared to be a police uniform
Kevin Dailey was a longtime member of the Middleport and Richland Township fire departments
According to police, Wellsburg Chief Scott Kins said he had been responsible for more than 20 drawings and bingos since he took on the role of chief in 2021
The Muskogee County Board of Commissioners also told each department to submit an inventory of county-purchased equipment and to undergo a state audit
Troy uses incentives to help with retention and tries to compensate the unpaid firefighters, said Mayor Ethan Baker
Since Norwich volunteer firefighters filed a petition, a special election on the ordinance will be held
“My biggest concern was never being able to be on the fire truck again,” said Colton Adams, a Centerville volunteer firefighter
“I messed up,” said Brian Gouza, former fire chief for Arnold No. 1, which is examining its finances
A Greensburg crewmember from Hose Co. 7 experienced confusion
Those hired will serve as station supervisors for Carroll County as part of a collaboration with volunteer leaders, said Director and Chief Michael Robinson Sr.
Steve Dutton served with both the Boldo and Parrish fire departments and on fire service-related boards
The Overton firefighters had already voted for a new fire chief when the city council voted in an executive session to hire a different chief
Union Fire and Hose Company #1 Chief Troy M. Dettinger served for 29 years and was described as dedicated and passionate
Lockport’s council president called for an emergency meeting because of the number of mutual aid calls to VFDs last Thursday
No one from the department has attended a safety committee meeting in more than a year, according to Delmont Mayor Alyce Urban
Almost 1,000 people attended the service for Community Fire Company members Zachary Paris and Marvin Gruber in person, and over 1,000 more watched a livestream
Giselle Fetterman, whose husband is Senator-Elect John Fetterman, says she is excited and ready to learn
Twin City Ambulance has said it cannot be Lockport’s main EMS service going forward, and the fire department is not allowed to run its own ambulance service
