Newtown Volunteer Fire Service 'Dwindling Quickly', Chief Says

NEWTOWN, PA — The Newtown Township Emergency Services Department is seeking new recruits to fill a rapidly declining volunteer firefighting force.

Fire Chief Glenn Forsyth appeared before the Newtown Borough Council at its Tuesday meeting.

"We have a very active recruitment drive right now, and we're trying everything we can to recruit new members," Forsyth said. "The volunteer fire service is dwindling quickly. I've been doing it for 47 years, and sooner or later you get to the point where you can't crawl down hallways anymore."

Forsyth said local residents as young as 16 can stop by the firehouse at 55 Municipal Drive in Newtown to sign up for training.

Fire departments across Pennsylvania are facing a shortage of volunteers. Ninety percent of firefighters in Pennsylvania are volunteers and there are far fewer of them than in the past.

In recent years, state lawmakers have advocated for tax credits for volunteers.

Residents can also support their local fire department by attending Newtown Beerfest on Sept. 18. The event serves as the largest annual fundraiser for the Newtown Fire Association.

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