VOLUNTEERING In New Hampshire
Become a Volunteer Firefighter in New Hampshire
Serve Your Community. Save Lives. Make a Difference.
Across the state of New Hampshire, volunteer and call firefighters play a critical role in protecting local communities. While larger cities like Manchester and Nashua operate career fire departments, many towns throughout the state depend on volunteers and call firefighters to respond when emergencies happen. From the White Mountains to small rural towns and lakeside communities, thousands of residents rely on volunteer firefighters to protect lives, homes, and businesses. But today, New Hampshire’s fire service is facing growing recruitment challenges—and communities need more people willing to step forward and serve.
The Need for Volunteer Firefighters in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s fire service relies heavily on volunteers and call firefighters to maintain emergency response coverage.
- New Hampshire has more than 240 fire departments statewide serving communities large and small.
- An estimated 70–75% of firefighters in the state serve as call or volunteer firefighters.
- Many smaller towns rely almost entirely on volunteers or call members to staff their fire departments.
- In some rural communities, departments respond to emergencies with fewer than 20 active firefighters available to cover the entire town.
These firefighters respond to a wide range of emergencies, including fires, medical calls, vehicle accidents, hazardous conditions, and severe weather incidents. Like many states across the country, New Hampshire has experienced a decline in volunteer firefighter participation over the past two decades. At the same time, emergency call volumes continue to rise. This combination creates increasing pressure on local departments to maintain adequate staffing.
Simply put: communities across New Hampshire need more volunteer firefighters.
Why You Should Become a Volunteer Firefighter
Becoming a volunteer firefighter is one of the most meaningful ways to serve your community. When emergencies happen, you’ll be there to help your neighbors when they need it most. You’ll gain valuable skills and training that can benefit your career and everyday life. You’ll also build lifelong friendships while making a real impact. Few volunteer opportunities allow you to make such an immediate and meaningful difference in people’s lives.
You don’t need experience to start. Take the first step today!
The need for Volunteer Firefighters in New Hampshire has never been greater. By stepping up and getting involved, individuals like you can make a lifesaving difference in your community. No prior training or certifications are necessary to apply.
Although local governments and departments establish different selection criteria, many departments require that volunteers:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be healthy and in good physical condition
- Complete basic fire & EMS training
- Live in close proximity to the fire district
- Have a clean criminal record
- Meet the minimum ongoing training requirements
- Respond to a certain percentage of calls
Time requirements vary by department, and commitment will depend on several factors, such as the number of calls the department receives, training requirements, shift versus on-call structure, and community activities in which the department requires volunteers to participate.
​Most Volunteer Departments will accept volunteers who are unable to leave work or have other obligations to respond to a call. In fact, many departments in New Hampshire offer overnight and weekend programs for volunteers who want to contribute their time, but can’t break away from their obligations during the work week.
Volunteer Firefighters do not receive a traditional salary, however many departments offer financial incentives and benefits to support their service. Compensation varies by department, but common forms include:
- Stipends & Reimbursements
- Tax Incentives & Pension Plans
- Tuition Assistance
- Insurance & Health Benefits
- Professional Training & Career Advancement
- Non-Monetary Rewards
While Volunteer Firefighting isn't a paid job in the traditional sense, the benefits - both financial and personal - make it a rewarding commitment. Many departments are working to improve compensation and incentives to attract and retain volunteers.
STATE RESOURCES
VolunteerFirefighter.org works with numerous fire associations to provide added resources and benefits to our Volunteer Fire Departments. Click the links below to learn more.
