VOLUNTEERING IN

Pennsylvania

Blawnox, Pleasant Valley, and Parkview Volunteer Fire Companies

The Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company (VFC), alongside O’Hara Township’s Pleasant Valley and Parkview Volunteer Fire Companies, received a federal SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant to support a a new four-year Volunteer Fire Recruitment and Training Program.


The number of Volunteer Firefighters in the U.S. reached a historic low in 2020, declining nearly 20% since 1986, while call volumes have tripled over the past 35 years, largely due to the rise in emergency medical calls. In Pennsylvania, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Personnel make up over 96% of firefighters and EMTs, compared to the national average of 70%. State fire officials estimate that Volunteer Firefighters save Pennsylvania communities around $10 billion annually.


Serving as a Volunteer Firefighter is an important and demanding job that saves communities hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the current economic climate, it is difficult to recruit and retain good volunteers to perform this work. The SAFER Grant funding will go a long way to increase staffing for the region’s fire and rescue services.


For more information about the Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company please contact Mike Yonas at myonas@blawnoxvfc.com.

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. Time 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.


​


Volunteer Departments prefer that volunteers have the ability to respond to calls 24 hours a day, although most departments still accept volunteers who are unable to leave work or other obligations to respond to a call.

Typically, departments pay for training and firefighting equipment. Volunteer Firefighting is an unpaid position; however, some departments may provide stipends or reimburse volunteers for certain expenses.