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.
Daniel Keener said he used his role as Bethany Pike VFD treasurer to divert funds, which he spent on concert tickets, credit card payments and jewelry
Officer Trevor Abney was ambushed and shot below the left eye, leaving him blinded in that eye and with a .40-caliber bullet lodged in his brain
“This is a tremendous loss to the community,” the Upper Perkiomen Valley Ambulance wrote about Jay Miles
In 2010, Stewart dedicated an episode of “The Daily Show” to shame Congress into passing the Zadroga Act
Wearing dirty turnout gear is not a badge of honor; here’s how to protect your gear and your health
Knowing the rules of the media game helps fire service leaders better use it to manage public opinion on key issues
Adam Brunt, 30, died when he got trapped under ice during water rescue training; the private training firm was under fire for not being regulated
A deputy sheriff was responding to a report of a stolen truck when the suspect fled and began a high-speed chase; the suspect hit a firefighter head on who was on his way to work
Firefighters from two departments have donated more than 1,500 used car seats and trained Mexican volunteer firefighters to help them improve child safety
Firefighter Dylan LaBrake proposed to this girlfriend Tessa Lavery, also a firefighter, during a live fire training exercise
The theft charge Tara Lindquist faces carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine
Fire chief: “He was everything we value in America, everything we value in our fire department, everything we value in our families. He was a good man.”
Chief Maywood Gaskins suffered a cardiac arrest following training at the firehouse; the ambulance transporting him crashed en route to a hospital
Shifting money from rural departments to national organizations harms the intent and function of fire-prevention grant funding
Fire departments need candidates with a strong sense of ethics who will not embarrass or harm the department
Catherine Campbell, the daughter of a fire chief, had been missing since Sept. 10; she was a volunteer firefighter for 10 years
Chief Ben Terry was in the ER for treatment, but removed his IV and left the hospital against medical advice
Chief William Bilinski has custom painted fire helmet shields for those in the fire service for over 14 years
Aside from gloves and hoods, look for the next NFPA 1971 to tackle moisture penetration into coats and pants
Fire chiefs should be on the tiller of the “good ship” fire service, with fire boards relegated to the daunting and underappreciated job of rowing
Volunteer fire chiefs explore if, when and how service and training levels should be pared back
Fire chiefs can stimulate inner motivation through affirmation and frequent reminders to volunteers that their service is valued
Some of the most successful recruiters, both inside and outside the fire service, offer their tips to get more volunteer firefighters in the door
One firefighter said six or seven calls since their resignation have gone unanswered
Customers said the employees were disrespectful, saying that volunteer firefighters were “fake” since they didn’t have a uniform to wear as proof
His accounts were hacked by a woman in California who used his late father’s credentials to falsely verify his death
Always keep in mind to handle civilian complaints or concerns with poise and respect — no matter how ridiculous they sound
They sold out of their 300 meals at their annual Pork Chop and Chicken Dinner fundraiser; the chief said they’ll have enough to buy the helmets after raising $6,000
Jerry Jackson Jr., 49, died at the scene from injuries sustained in the four-vehicle wreck
Crews promised the 4-year-old pizza and a ride on their fire truck if he would step in the rescue loop to pull him out of the hole
At the time of the fire, Travis Boyd, also a paramedic, was fired for reasons unrelated to the fire
Officials refused to identify the former chief or say how many firefighters resigned
The department’s inability to meet state-required staffing levels during daytime hours has landed it on probation
