Lansdowne Volunteer Fire Company

TO BE A FIREMAN
“I HAVE NO AMBITION IN THIS WORLD BUT ONE, ANDTHAT IS TO BE A FIREMAN. THE POSITION MAY, IN THE EYES OF SOME, APPEAR TO BE A LOWLY ONE; BUT THOSE WHO KNOW THE WORK WHICH A FIREMAN HAS TO DO BELIEVE HIS IS A NOBEL CALLING OUR PROUDEST MOMENTIS TO SAVE.LIVES.
UNDER THE IMPULSE OF SUCH THOUGHTS THE NOBILITY OF THE OCCUPATION THRILLS US AND STIMULATES US TO DEEDS OF DARING, EVEN OF SUPREME SACRIFICE.”
Edward F. Crocker
Chief of Department
FDNY
1899-1911

Do you have what it takes to meet the challenge? 
Are you interested in volunteering and curious to know what it’s all about? Well, you came to the right place! The personnel at Lansdowne Volunteer Fire Company #19 come from all walks of life. They are residents of Lansdowne and the surrounding areas but all have one common goal, to help the residents in time of need. Joining our Fire Company Family offers a whole new realm of possibilities that will add value to your life and the lives of those you serve within our community. No experience is necessary; we will provide all the training and equipment you will need. To become a firefighter you will need more than just a desire to help people and give back to the community. You will need courage, dedication, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn new skills and face new challenges.
The skills and training available in the Fire Company can advance your career, brighten your resume and build valuable and long lasting relationships. Still interested in taking part but not sure about being a Firefighter, then don’t worry the Lansdowne Fire Company is always in need of people with special skills. You’d be surprised in how these skills could easily apply to the daily operation of the Fire Company. This is a great way to give something back to the community without dedicating an extraordinary amount of time.
General Membership Benefits
The Lansdowne Volunteer Fire Company provides an incredible atmosphere with state-of-the-art apparatus and equipment along with the following benefits. 
• Free Training: Local, State, and National-Level Firefighter, Rescue, and EMS training is provided at no cost to you.
• Equipment: All required safety equipment and gear is provided and paid for by the Fire Company
• Life Insurance Benefits: Federal, State and Local Benefits
• Full Workers Compensation: Workmen’s Compensation Insurance
• Gym Reimbursement: Up to $120.00 a year
• State Income Tax Credit: PA State Income Tax Credit for those Volunteer Firefighters who qualify
• Community Service: A great sense of community and serving a good cause
• Leadership: Opportunity for advancement and responsibility on both the operational and administrative side of the Fire Service
• Friendship: Camaraderie and lifelong friendship
• And more will be coming soon

Areas 
• ACTIVE FIREFIGHTER: Must be 18 years of age or older and in good health. Firefighters are the ones to answer the call for help. Duties include but are not limited to the following:
1. Firefighting suppression
2. Performing Rescues
3. Carrying Hose
4. Climbing Ladders
5. Operating Equipment 
We will provide weekly training within the station as well as send you to local Fire Academies 
• JUNIOR FIREFIGHTER: Are between the ages of 16 and 18. Junior members are Firefighters in training. Learning is the primary responsibility of Junior Firefighters. Junior members provide support during emergencies such as accountability and bringing equipment where it is needed. Supervision is provided at all times by Company Chief. Lansdowne Fire Company obey all Child Labor Laws which limit the type of tasks a junior can perform, however with training and age, the number of jobs a junior can do increases. 

• CADET FIREFIGHTER: Cadets shall be those members between the ages of 14 to 16 years old. Cadets Firefighters must have a valid work permit and must maintain “C’s” or better in ALL school subjects. As with “Junior Firefighters”, cadet Firefighters are Firefighters in training. Learning is the primary responsibility of the cadet. Also as with Junior Firefighters, Lansdowne Fire Company obey all Child Labor Laws which limit the type of tasks a cadet can perform, however with training and age, the number of jobs a cadet can do increases. Supervision is provided at all times by Company Chief. There shall be no more (15) Cadets at any one time. 

• FIRE POLICE: Must be 18 years old, with your own transportation is helpful. Fire Police provide safety and security to the fire crews. Fire Police direct traffic around the emergency scene, assist motorists and provide crowed control. Fire Police are sometimes called to assist local police with traffic control for various reasons. The person applying for this position must have “Good public relation skills”

• SUPPORT PERSONNEL: Not everyone has to run into a burning building to be helpful. In fact, the majority of the work required in the fire service is ensuring that we are ready to respond when the call comes in. Use your skills and talents to help us behind the scenes. If you have a talent, we could use your help. (Support Personnel do not have Voting rights at company meetings)

REQUIRMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP (All positions)
If you are interested in joining our organization you must first complete a full application for membership.
Application Process
1. Complete and notarize the “Lansdowne Fire Company Application for Membership” When returning the completed application please make sure you attach either a $10.00 check or money order made payable to “Lansdowne Fire Company”. 
NOTE to new applicants: One of the biggest delays we have found with our application process is with the “Reference” section of the application. For this reason we ask that either you hand deliver them once completed to the “Membership Secretary” or continue to track them once your reference receives them. 
2. Once your completed application has been received, the membership secretary shall submit the application to the Board of Trustees for review. The Board of Trustees shall report the results of their review and their recommendation. Applicant shall present themselves at a Board of Trustees meeting and at the monthly company meeting before their application is presented to the company membership for a vote. 
NOTE: It is highly recommended that the applicant introduce himself to the membership during the time the application is submitted and voted on. This will do two things first it will allow the members who will be voting on you to meet you. The second thing this will do is allow you to see if the firefighting service is really for you. 
3. After the membership has approved the applicant, the applicant who was elected to membership shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) months. The probationary member must now report to a predetermined location for a complete physical. 
4. Upon completion of the physical phase and upon passing, all required gear and equipment will be issued by the Fire Company and the probationary member will be informed of their duties and responsibilities. 
Note: After being granted equipment, the probationary member may begin taking part in Fire Company Drills and may also begin taking part in Fire Academy training. (See training director for dates and times of classes) 

For any further information regarding the application process stop by and visit Lansdowne Fire Company @ 26 North Highland Ave, Lansdowne PA 19050 or call (610) 623-1309 or send an e-mail to recruitment@lansdownefire.com and remember the best way to prevent fires is though education and awareness.