All applicants must have or submit to a PA State Police Criminal History Check and a PA Childline Child Abuse Record Check. Personnel are encouraged to be age 18 years or older. Junior Firefighters, 14 years old to 17 years old, may join and train but will be limited to the duties they may perform. Previous training in fire, rescue, or EMS is strongly encouraged but not necessary.

Current Ceritification in PA Act 130: Wildland Firefighting and S-190: Introduction to Wildland Firefighting is strongly encouraged. Proof of these certifications are required.

The department will help to provide PA Act 130 and S-190 training at no expense but these classes are extremely limited in offerings throughout the year. Some of these courses have recently become available online but still require a face to face practical exam.

Applicants should be in good health and physical shape as wildland firefighting operations often occur in remote areas, require traversing rugged terrain, and engage in extended operations ranging from several hours to as long as several days.