Below is some information that we believe may be of use to persons considering membership. For an application, please stop by the firehouse anytime, call the firehouse at 814-765-8683 or complete the application on this page and we’ll be in touch.
There is plenty of opportunity to serve your community through the volunteer fire and EMS service, and much of it has nothing to do with fire fighting.
Fire and emergency medical services are one of the most challenging professions today. It is this diversity that inspires most men and women to enter the fire and EMS services. 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 volunteer fire services is 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 firefighting that does not include running into burning buildings or other situations.
We have various committees within the company, 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 piece of change. 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. Other committees include video, fire prevention, grant research and our maintenance committee.
Most of our members at Lawrence Township Volunteer Fire Company #1 have entered the company with no previous fire or EMS experience. Lawrence Township Company #1 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 in-house training.
Initial formal training consists of the Essentials of Firefighting class taught at the Dubois City Emergency Services Training Center in Dubois, PA. This class is approximately 120 hours, and spans a total of six 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 Basic Firefighter.
Upon completing the Essentials of Firefighting 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 firefighting operations.
Perhaps the most important aspect of our training comes from our weekly crew nights which are held on the first Sunday night of every month from 7-9pm. Officers conduct drills to sharpen everyone’s skills or to try out a new procedure.
If any of this at all interests you and you are over the age of 16, please email [email protected] to setup a time to meet with our membership committee.
Membership meets at 7:30 PM on the Monday before the second Tuesday of each month to accept applications, conduct interviews and move you on to membership in the company. Stop on by and we will be more than happy to explain what we’re all about.
