Volunteer Recruitment

Franklin Borough Fire Rescue is staffed entirely by volunteers and is always looking for dedicated, aggressive people to serve as volunteers. Becoming a volunteer firefighter is a unique experience that can be quite rewarding. No experience is necessary to become a volunteer member and all training is provided FREE of charge.

Volunteers are used in various capacities within the department. Even if you are not interested in fighting fires, there are many other activities that you can participate in. If you have some spare time and are at least 16 years of age, you can make a difference in your community by volunteering.

What Does It Take?

Volunteers spend countless hours training and raising funds for the purchase and upkeep of apparatus, equipment, and facilities, all of which are owned by the volunteer fire company. The department is also very active in the community and can often be found teaching fire prevention programs, providing public service, and participating in community events such as the Memorial Day parade and the high school’s homecoming bonfire. Members are also expected to attend company meetings and assist in maintaining the department's apparatus, equipment, and facilities.

Firefighting Duties. Firefighters are responsible for performing firefighting and rescue operations that expose them to extreme heat, toxic products of combustion, and hazardous materials. They also may be required to: lift and operate heavy machinery; carry, raise and climb ladders up to 135' tall; as well as, drive fire apparatus under emergency conditions. Another of their responsibilities is to provide basic life support functions by assisting ambulance crews. As a result, they may be exposed to infectious diseases and required, as part of a two-person team, to regularly lift and carry patients weighing approximately 150 pounds.

Emergency Medical Duties. The duties of an EMT or paramedic require personnel to respond utilizing lights and sirens to the scene of various types of emergencies; medical, as well as hazardous, such as fires and chemical spills. As a result, they may be exposed to infectious disease, toxic products of combustion, hazardous vapors and temperature extremes for long periods of time. Their job also entails that they be part of a two-person team that regularly lifts an average 150-pound patient and additional equipment weighing approximately 50 pounds up and down stairwells and into and out of ambulances. They are also required to communicate both orally and in writing to hospitals, their supervisors, and the public.

Required training currently consists of 166 hours of basic firefighting, 24 hours of hazardous materials operations, and self-paced incident management training.

Classifications of Membership

Active Membership

Active membership is intended for those who wish to participate in incident response and scene operations. Regular members are also expected to attend and participate in training sessions, company meetings, fundraising activities, work details, and other department activities. Regular members must successfully complete certain training prior to being permitted to respond to and participate at incidents.

Contributing Membership

Contributing membership is intended for those who do not wish to participate in incident response and scene operations but would like to contribute time, skills, or services for the benefit of the department. Contributing members typically assist with department administration, fundraising, maintenance, fire prevention, public service, and other support activities.

Life Membership

Life membership is awarded to those who have maintained 25 years of membership. Life membership may also be awarded to those who perform above and beyond the call of duty or contribute outstanding meritorious service to the department. Life members have full membership privileges. In fact, several of our "active" members are life members, as their continued service and support is encouraged.

Application For Membership

To become a volunteer member, an application for membership must be obtained, completed, and submitted to the fire department. Applications can be obtained by stopping at the firehouse, asking a current department member, or online (see link below).

Download the membership application.

For more information on volunteer opportunities,
please email us, stop by the station, or call 814.535.1953

Copyright © 1996-2008 Franklin Borough Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1