Ask any firefighter who has been publicly honored for an act of valor if he or she is a hero, and you'll get the same answer. It will go something like this:
"I didn't do anything my fellow firefighters wouldn't do in the same situation." Indeed, firefighters do what they do because they have an innate desire to serve. It is simply who they are.
I took a tour of West Chester's three fire companies, and I'd like to share just a few things I learned about these men and women.
1-Becoming a firefighter is no easy task. It requires dedication, hard work, and long hours of training that take time away from the firefighters' families.
2-The West Chester Fire Department (which comprises the three fire companies above) is 100% volunteer and was the first Department in Pennsylvania to achieve certification of all of its member firefighters. This means each firefighter underwent at least 180 hours of training to meet the National Fire Protection Association Firefighter I certification. Many of West Chester's firefighters have undergone a lot of additional training, as well, for truck driving, EMT, and specific rescue skills. What's more, our firefighters continue to train every week.
3-The three fire companies took 1,400 calls in 2017. On average, that's one call every 6.25 hours throughout the entire year. They took calls on holidays, on their children's birthdays, in the middle of the night, and on freezing, windy days.
So, get to know our firefighters, and consider giving them some of your time if you can, in the form of administrative support, fundraising assistance, and help with other tasks that always need to be done around the firehouse.
Reach out to them and donate here, here, and here!
Remember - They are all volunteers!
