Capital Region Fire Companies to Grow Base of Junior Firefighters

A newly unveiled collaboration stemming from a 2023 law, Act 155, opens the doors for 100 teenagers to join their local fire companies and start interior firefighting training at age 17. The “100 Teens-to-Lifesavers Challenge,” was announced at an April 24 press conference held by the Capital Region Council of Governments (CapCOG).

The initiative was spearheaded by the leaders of CapCOG, representing 21 fire companies from member municipalities across the East Shore, West Shore and Capital Region

under the umbrella of www.CapitalRegionFirefighter.org. The recruitment effort, funded by a four-year Staffing for Adequate Safety Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), comes at no cost to local taxpayers.

If the challenge is achieved, 100 teenage firefighters will be trained and ready to save lives before they turn 18, thus combatting an all-time low of volunteerism, observed both locally and nationally.

“Volunteer fire departments in Pennsylvania are in crisis. They need your help,” said Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook, who attended the April 24 press conference. “Training today can open doors and bring life skills such as teamwork, collaboration and creative thinking for all future careers.”

Why Act 155 Matters

Prior to the law going into effect in 2023, junior firefighters were limited to positioning ladders and running hoses outside of a fire scene. For teens passionate about learning firefighting, the wait for adulthood felt endless. The new law is a game changer for adding young firefighters to the Commonwealth, allowing 17-year-olds to get a head start on the Firefighter 1 Certification process and a jump start on honing interior firefighting skills by training in live-burn buildings.

“If you don’t reach a young person by the time they graduate from high school, the odds are against them becoming a firefighter. We need to be proactive in reaching out to them as well as to remove barriers that make it difficult for our youth to join, train or serve,” said Nate Silcox, Chair of the CapCOG Advisory Committee and President of Hampden Township Board of Commissioners.

Winning the Numbers Game through Recruitment

Since the April 2022 unveiling of the recruitment campaign, 129 individuals have joined fire companies within the East Shore, West Shore and Capital Region. For some, the experience has been life-changing, including Aiden Goodman, a junior volunteer who joined New Kingstown Fire Company.

“The firehouse is just a great environment to be in; it's like one big family. Joining the firehouse as a teenager and going through the ranks starting as a junior is a great way to prepare yourself for a fire career. It can set you up for a paid fire job fresh out of high school with the required certifications,” said Goodman.

During the campaign, recruitment activities have included lawn signs, digital media campaigns, volunteer profiles and recruitment tables at community events. All are funded by a four-year Staffing for Adequate Safety Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant from FEMA at no cost to local taxpayers.

Now, with the launch of the “100-Teens-to-Lifesavers Challenge,” the CapCOG Advisory Committee is excited about the campaign's new direction.

“Our coming together signifies our enduring commitment to empowering our next generation of firefighters with the training they need to save lives and protect property on the East Shore, West Shore and throughout the Capital Region,” said Scott Ryno, SAFER Grant Program Manager.

To learn more about the recruitment campaign, please visit www.CapitalRegionFirefighter.org.

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Editor’s Note: To interview any members of the CapCog, participating fire chiefs or new volunteers, contact Cassie Morrison at 717-5454-7403.