FIRE FIGHTING IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, BUT VOLUNTEERING CAN BE

Upper Macungie Township is served by three 100% volunteer fire departments.

Station 8 - Fogelsville Volunteer Fire Company
Station 25 - Good Will Fire Company #1 of Trexlertown
Station 56 - Upper Macungie Township Fire Station 56

There is plenty of opportunity to serve your community through the volunteer fire service, and much of it has nothing to do with fire fighting.

Firefighting is one of the most challenging professions today. It is this diversity that inspires most men and women to enter the fire service. This business is not for everyone however. You need more than just desire to help people. You need courage, dedication, assertiveness and a willingness to learn new skills and face new challenges.

The personal rewards and satisfaction received from the volunteer fire service is often beyond description. There is a sense of accomplishment after controlling a building fire, joy and elation when a life is saved, compassion for accident victims, and fulfillment in teaching fire safety.

If you are looking for a change of pace or excitement in your life, the world of firefighting may be for you. If this action-filled lifestyle does not appeal to you, have no fear, there is plenty more that can be done in the business of the fire service that does not include running into burning buildings.

We have various committees, all of which you will be welcomed to join. Running and maintaining a company of our size is time consuming and at times, costly, so the volunteering of your time is something we value. Just the maintenance of the building and grounds alone runs into quite a lot of money. We also maintain a computer system, attend to regular truck and equipment maintenance, as well as tending to fundraising, banquets, memorial services, member activities, parades, and a full menu of things that need to be done by the volunteers.

What does it take to be a firefighter?

Many of our members have entered the company with no previous firefighting experience. Upper Macungie Township firefighters pride themselves on a strong foundation of training that begins on the first day. While formal training to ride is eventually required, new members are able to ride in a limited capacity after receiving basic training.

Initial formal training consists of the Fire Fighter I class, offered through the Bucks County Community College Public Safety Training Program. This class is approximately 190 hours, and spans a total of five months. Students receive instruction in theories of fire behavior and suppression, forcible entry, ventilation, property salvage, basic hazardous materials training, as well as first aid and CPR. Most of the class is hands-on and successful completion results in National Certification as a Firefighter. Upon completing the Fire Fighter I class, members are welcome to take additional specialty classes that are applicable to our operations that interest them. Such classes include vehicle rescue, rope rescue, hazardous materials, and advanced firefighting operations.

Perhaps the most important aspect of our training comes from our weekly drill nights which are held every Tuesday night beginning at 6:30 pm. Officers conduct drills to sharpen everyone’s skills or to try out a new techniques.

If any of this at all interests you, and you are 16 or older, please fill out the contact form to set up a time to meet with one of our members. Or stop by one of our stations, and we will be more than happy to explain what we’re all about.