Volunteer firefighters partner with local schools to build the next generation

In Pennsylvania, 96.5% of fire departments are run by volunteers, but the number of active firefighters is on the decline. Volunteer firefighter participation nationwide has dropped by 25% since 1984, despite a 40% increase in the American population.

Danville, along with other counties in Central Pennsylvania, has noticed a reduction in its volunteer firefighter teams; however, the local community is stepping up to address this need before it becomes critical.

"While working at a fire in July of 2023, I realized I was the youngest volunteer on scene," says Eric Frantz, who at the time was 46 years old. "We need young blood in the system."

Frantz would eventually help to create the Danville Fire Club in the fall of 2023, an organization dedicated to introducing students to volunteerism in hopes of developing the next generation of volunteer firefighters and leaders. The club started with six pre-existing junior volunteer firefighters, with plans to grow in the future. 

The Fire Club Raises Awareness for What First Responders Do

The first step to develop interest in volunteer firefighting was to meet with students and highlight the work of first responders. Frantz wanted students to understand the role firefighters play in responding to medical emergencies, search-and-rescue operations, and other crises.

“You take for granted that you call 911 and somebody shows up,” says Frantz. “But when there’s a call, we drop everything and leave work, abandon the shopping cart in the grocery store, or run out of the house in the middle of the night.”

After students have a better understanding of what volunteer firefighters do, they learn about the certification process. It takes 200 hours of training to become an interior firefighter in Pennsylvania. Volunteers then have to pass two tests, a written and an active skills test, before becoming junior firefighters.

Frantz and the volunteer firefighters he works with are creative with how they engage with students. They take students on field trips and bring simulations to local schools. These include a lost-hunter search-and-rescue simulation, a car-accident rescue simulation, and a firefighting simulation in which 200 students run through a zero-visibility environment in full gear.  

“The district was helpful in getting us facetime with students,” says Frantz. “We’re trying to raise a group of kids who aren’t just excited about volunteering, but who understand the need to support local firehouses.”

The Fire Club Helps Students Get Their Certification 

Frantz works closely with the Danville Area School District to create opportunities for students to work toward their certifications alongside their standard coursework. It’s challenging for students to reach 200 certification hours when the only available time is after school and on weekends. The Fire Club lets students leave school and work toward their certification before graduation.

“Allowing students to take the class during the school day was key,” says Frantz. “I realized this was a big ask, but the school district was eager to help.”

Firefighter certification is not part of the official school curriculum. Instead, it is a cooperative program that allows seniors to leave campus and receive their training during school hours. However, as more students express interest in volunteering, Frantz hopes to expand the club into a four-year program. Students would be introduced to the concept of emergency services in ninth grade and continue learning until they completed their certifications in their senior year. 

Danville is Creating a Model That Can Be Used Nationally

Even though the Fire Club is less than two years old, other communities have already reached out to Frantz to learn about his program and how to replicate it. Working with local high schools can change the trajectory of volunteer firehouses. These programs can reverse the trend of declining participation numbers and lower the average age of volunteer fire teams.

“This is bigger than Danville,” says Frantz. “The more we can get the word out for how the fire service works and the need for volunteers, the greater the likelihood people will sign up.”

While the program is gaining traction, it still needs community support. The training courses for junior firefighters aren’t free, which limits the number of students who can sign up for the co-op at a time. Frantz and other firehouses are working to raise funds for the program and currently accept donations to support students.  

“We need these students to get certified so they can help our community,” says Frantz. “Our hope is for them to stay in Danville and become a member of their local firehouse.” 

The Fire Club Contributes to the Future of Danville

The Fire Club is a strong representation of the Danville community and Central Pennsylvania as a whole. It showcases how residents take action and work together when a need arises. By developing the next generation of first responders, the Fire Club contributes to the safety of Danville residents.

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