Answer the Call This November: Serve Your Community & Join the Fire Service

November brings a season of reflection. As the air cools and the holidays draw near, we find ourselves thinking about what and who we are grateful for. We gather with family, embrace tradition, and appreciate the people who make our communities feel safe, supported, and strong.

Among those people are our firefighters and emergency responders, the men and women who step forward when others step back, answer calls at all hours, and commit to protecting lives and property in their own neighborhoods.

But here’s a truth many don’t realize until they need help:

Most local fire departments rely on volunteers.

They are parents, teachers, business owners, students, retirees, tradespeople, and neighbors. They are not strangers from somewhere else; they are community members just like you.

And right now, they need more people who are willing to stand beside them.

Why Volunteer Firefighters Matter

When someone calls 911, they aren't thinking about whether responders are volunteers or career; they simply need help. And every second counts.

Volunteer firefighters:

• Respond to emergencies, including fires, crashes, medical calls, and rescues

• Provide community fire safety education

• Support local events and public outreach

• Help maintain readiness, equipment, and facilities

• Assist in fundraising to support their stations

Without these volunteers, response times increase. Departments become stretched thin. And communities lose a critical layer of safety and support.

Being a volunteer firefighter isn’t just about being there for emergencies; it’s about being part of the backbone of your community.

A Season of Gratitude and Giving Back

November invites us to think beyond ourselves. As we express gratitude, many of us also feel a pull to give back, to help others, to serve, to make a difference.

This season, we invite you to channel that spirit into something powerful: Joining your local fire department or support team.

Volunteer firefighting is service in its truest form. It is hands-on, meaningful, and life-changing,  not just for the people you help, but for you.

Who Can Volunteer?

You might be surprised to learn that there is a role for almost everyone in the fire service.

Whether you want to fight fires, provide medical support, manage scene safety, handle administrative tasks, or help with communications and events, your skills can make a real impact.

Departments often need:

• Interior Firefighters — Training provided

• Exterior Firefighters — Assist with scene support without entering buildings

• EMS Responders & Support

• Fire Police — Traffic & scene safety

• Junior Firefighters (Teens) - Limited roles, but important on-the-job training

• Administrative/Support Members — Grant writing, fundraising, membership support, events, education, logistics

No matter your background or experience level, there is a place for you.

Training Provided, No Experience Needed

Many potential volunteers hesitate because they feel unqualified. But every firefighter, volunteer or career, began as a beginner.

Departments provide:

• Professional-level training

• Safety gear and equipment

• Ongoing education

• Mentorship from experienced firefighters

• Clear standards and support every step of the way

If you bring the desire to serve, the commitment to learn, and a willingness to push yourself, we will give you the tools to succeed.

Discover Who You Can Become

Volunteering isn’t only about what you give, it’s also about what you gain.

The fire service shapes people into:

• Stronger leaders

• Better teammates

• Confident decision-makers

• Compassionate neighbors

• Skilled emergency responders

It teaches responsibility, grit, resilience, and pride in service. It builds lifelong friendships, strengthens families, and brings communities closer.

Ask any volunteer firefighter what keeps them showing up, and they'll likely tell you it’s the sense of purpose, the camaraderie, and the knowledge that they are making a difference.

Balancing Service & Life

Many volunteers work full-time jobs, raise families, or go to school, and still make room to serve. You may be surprised by how flexible many departments are with scheduling and participation.

You don’t need to be available 24/7. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be willing.

Serve when you can. Train when you’re able. Grow alongside your team.

Every hour given supports your neighbors. Every call answered matters.

Hear the Call? You’re Not Alone.

Right now, across the region, people are stepping forward. Students are joining junior firefighter programs. Parents are volunteering after years spent cheering from the sidewalk as the fire trucks roll past in parades. Retirees are offering decades of life experience and mentorship.

They all have one thing in common: They chose not to simply admire their fire department, but to become part of it.

Maybe you've wondered what it would feel like to wear the gear. To help someone on their hardest day.To be the reason a family is safe tonight.

Maybe this is your moment to find out.

Ready to Serve Your Community?

Becoming a volunteer firefighter or support member starts with one simple step: reaching out.

Visit JoinTheFD.com to:

• Learn about volunteer roles

• See what training looks like

• Explore safety and support programs

• Connect with local departments

• Get started on your application

Your future fire family is ready to welcome you and guide you through every stage of your journey.

This November, Answer the Call

As Thanksgiving approaches, we honor and thank those who have served and those who continue to serve. But gratitude is more than a feeling; it is an action.

This month, we invite you to ask yourself:

• How can I strengthen my community?

• How can I support those who already serve?

• How can I make a real, lasting impact?

For some, the answer may be simple: Step forward. Put on the gear. Join the team.

The fire service is not only a calling, it is a family. And there is room in that family for you.

Contact Your Local Lancaster County Fire Department

Visit JoinTheFD.com to:

• Find your nearest fire department

• Learn about volunteer opportunities

• Request a fire station tour

• Schedule a fire safety presentation for your school or organization

• Apply to become a volunteer firefighter

  
  

Together, we can prevent fires and save lives in Lancaster County.

Join The FD is a recruitment initiative representing nine independent volunteer fire departments across Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Our mission is to serve, train, excel, and protect our community through dedicated volunteer service.

Ready to make a difference? Learn how to join your local fire department and start your journey today. Visit JoinTheFD.com

Apply Today