VOLUNTEERING IN

Pennsylvania

Hempfield Township

Hempfield Township is currently at risk due to inadequate fire department staffing levels. In short, there are not enough trained Volunteer Firefighters available to respond to emergencies, especially during business hours. The need for recruitment has never been greater.


In 2022, Hempfield Fire Department received a federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program supports recruitment and retention activities. The purpose is to provide Hempfield Fire Department with staffing, training and deployment capabilities to respond to emergencies and ensure that local communities, citizens and visitors have adequate protection from fire, fire-related hazards and other emergencies.



By adding new recruits (and retaining valuable members), Hempfield Fire Department will create a net increase in the number of trained, certified and competent firefighters capable of safely responding to emergencies.

Hempfield Fire Department is looking to add new members to the following 10 Volunteer Fire Stations serving the Hempfield Township Community:​


Adamsburg VFC

Bovard VFD

Carbon VFD

Fort Allen VFD

Grapeville VFC

Hannastown VFD

Hempfield #2 VFD

Midway/St. Clair VFD

North Hempfield VFD

West Point VFD


These departments and stations respond to a variety of emergencies, including structure fires, vehicle fires, brush fires, rubbish fires, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, automatic fire alarms, and public service details, such as flooding, power failures, and trees or wires down.

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 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. Hempfield Fire Department prefers volunteers to have the ability to respond to calls 24 hours a day, although we still accept volunteers who are unable to leave work or other obligations to respond to a call.

With the help of federal assistance, Hempfield Fire Department will provide training and firefighting equipment. Volunteer Firefighting is an unpaid position; however, our department will provide stipends as well as reimbursement for certain expenses.