Newsletter

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Collingdale Fire Company #1 and Emergency Medical Services. Below is some information that we believe may be of use to persons considering membership. For an application, please stop by the firehouse anytime, call the firehouse at 610-583-3040 or simply download the application by clicking the "Download" link on the side of the page and bring it to the firehouse.

FIRE FIGHTING AND EMS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, BUT VOLUNTEERING CAN BE

There is plenty of opportunity to serve your community through the volunteer fire and EMS service, and much of it has nothing to do with fire fighting.

Fire and emergency medical services are one of the most challenging professions today. It is this diversity that inspires most men and women to enter the fire and EMS services. This business is not for everyone however. You need more than just desire to help people. You need courage, dedication, assertiveness and a willingness to learn new skills and face new challenges.

The personal rewards and satisfaction received from the volunteer emergency medical services are often beyond description. There is a sense of accomplishment after controlling a building fire, joy and elation when a child is born or a life is saved, compassion for accident victims, and fulfillment in teaching fire safety.

If you are looking for a change of pace or excitement in your life, the world of emergency medical services is for you. If this action-filled lifestyle does not appeal to you, have no fear, there is plenty more that can be done in the business of emergency medical services that does not include running into burning buildings or other emergency medical situations.

We have various committees within the company, all of which you will be welcomed to join. Running and maintaining a company of our size is time consuming and at times, costly, so the volunteering of your time is something we value. Just the maintenance of the building and grounds alone runs into quite a piece of change. We also maintain a computer system, attend to regular truck and equipment maintenance, as well as tending to fundraising, banquets, memorial services, member activities, parades, and a full menu of things that need to be done by the volunteers. Other committees include video, fire prevention, grant research and our maintenance committee.

What does it take to be a firefighter?

Most of our members at Collingdale Fire Company #1 have entered the company with no previous fire or EMS experience. Collingdale Fire Company #1 firefighters pride themselves on a strong foundation of training that begins on the first day. While formal training to ride is eventually required, new members are able to ride in a limited capacity after receiving basic in-house training.

Initial formal training consists of the Essentials of Firefighting class taught at our Emergency Services Training Center in Darby Township, PA. This class is approximately 90 hours, and spans a total of four months. Students receive instruction in theories of fire behavior and suppression, forcible entry, ventilation, property salvage, basic hazardous materials training, as well as first aid and CPR. Most of the class is hands-on and successful completion results in National Certification as a Basic Firefighter. Upon completing the Essentials of Firefighting class, members are welcome to take additional specialty classes that are applicable to our operations that interest them. Such classes include vehicle rescue, rope rescue, hazardous materials, and firefighting operations.

Perhaps the most important aspect of our training comes from our weekly crew nights which are held every Thursday night from 7-9pm. Officers conduct drills to sharpen everyone's skills or to try out a new procedure.