A Day in the Life of a Volunteer Firefighter

Members of the Lykens Fire Company share their stories and what it is like to be a firefighter in the volunteer community.

[@danieltaz6555]

I started out as a volunteer firefighter at age 15 after school and weekends in Wisconsin became a paid full time firefighter in spring 1986 till my 1st retirement in July 2017 back in service march 2020 due to the corona virus

[@Hans_Hamon]

Thank you, for your Selfless Service, Sir. Blessings.

[@rhysmilan5019]

sorry to be so offtopic but does anybody know a tool to get back into an Instagram account? I stupidly lost my account password. I would love any tips you can offer me.

[@monique6384]

Thank you for your service to your community!

[@bailiecook6149]

me two i am trying hard to do it at my home where i live

[@lynellkohlheim1102]

How much do you make?

[@normansilver905]

The strong backbone of the American fire service is still the many good dedicated Volunteer Fire fighters. This is a compliment from a professional firefighter who retired after 40 years of service. Vollies; I salute you!

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@brianverbanickjr.5551]

A day in the life of a volunteer firefighter, I will sum it up: work/school, then you go home and then EMS calls and fire alarms all night

[@elliottlee4488]

Idontknowwhatmynameis amen

[@jimjones6901]

What do you do about sleep? Obviously it must be hard when you are awake all day at work/school and then have to go out to emergencies when you're supposed to be sleeping.

[@brandoncarrillo951]

I want to get my associates and bachelors, will full time student be plausible or would part time student fit better?

[@brianverbanickjr.5551]

@@brandoncarrillo951 Not sure how to answer that

[@brandoncarrillo951]

Idontknowwhatmynameis no problem, appreciate the reply though

[@megb_photos]

Thank you all so much for the views, likes and comments. I am just now discovering that this has received over 6,000 views. That may not seem like all that much compared to the “famous youtube world”, but it truly means a lot to me. This is a huge step for me. As a former volunteer firefighter myself, this is a topic I am very passionate about and I wanted to show people what it’s like to be a small town volunteer firefighter, where the bond burns stronger than the flame, itself. And thank you to all the brave men and women who serve to protect their communities, paid or not. You are ALL greatly appreciated ❤️

[@cartconrad4426]

Megan Bixler I'm a firefighter I'm medical retiree I I'm vol firemen but I have been paid to I miss every day I still talk to the guy until this day I had blood clots being on blood thinners the doctor will not let be ops member anymore people do not understand the brother hood sister hood we I love vol pride keep posting these

[@VermontAnts]

Now over 36,000

[@lindanwfirefighter4973]

Now over 64,000 😊

[@christiancoleman5452]

Now over 70000

[@mropinionated2849]

Over 100k now great work

[@JohnSmith-dq4dx]

Dropped into my local station today to ask a few questions. Came to this video afterwards. Decision = made.

[@mrarmyant2014]

so how did it go after a year?

[@ninjireal]

Askin what this guys askin.

[@bhkfdbfb]

Firefighters are awesome! Proud to be apart of such a team

[@Armedfireman]

You guys are really good at driving backwards...

[@ninjireal]

Learned from tow-mater, is my guess

[@rapman5363]

Back dat thang up ! 😉

[@skuy00]

I'm a volunteer in an all volunteer county in Maryland and I support this video

[@megb_photos]

Proud volunteer Thank you so much this really means a lot!

[@alexmatthews7706]

What county

[@djbroadhurst7142]

Proud volunteer am a fire fighter in the U.S. Army Reserve

[@Hgreentea]

What is the strength test like? I am taking it soon.

[@fernnan6981]

Hey are you able to pick your hours ?

[@merlinsandra4405]

May God provide intellectual, physical and spiritual power and strength to the fire fighter department team-the fire fighter officers, vehicle maintenance group, call center team n overall team. May God empower and bless you all and ur family for the noble work of saving lives while risking one's life and forest fire safety through fire helicopters. Salute to every firefighter!! Amen!!........

[@deathcabunlucky6107]

I love being a small town volunteer firefighter in Upstate New York.

[@hipal2271]

Awesome video. My paid job is at the local sheriff’s office but I also volunteer as a fire fighter.

[@johnreiman297]

Great introduction to volunteer fire fighting. I've been with very large hybrid departments with career and volunteer side by side and am currently with a small county rural VFD. I love it and there are great people that want to help. Like with everything there are also slackers that do the minimum or even less. I highly recommend joining a VFD and volunteer in your community. You'll be helping your family and neighbors.

[@1delta252]

I'm a volunteer firefighter as well and I enjoy serving my community when the tones drop

[@1delta252]

@Brandin Morgan I have several times due to that issue but of course I do it safely

[@paulwilson5678]

So do i need a educational background and a driver's license to be a volunteer fire fighter ?

[@sandrabethjoannemorin4218]

Awesome production, Megan! As a woman, you are a great inspiration to me! -Sandra

[@wmbrennan]

Grew up in Shamokin PA and was a volunteer with the Rescue fire dept and Rescue squad for years and miss the small town FD. Volunteers do amazing work and the small towns are now hurting due the people moving out of the area and the time and length of training these volunteers must put in.

[@Combat_Hub]

My department here in Long Island NY serves over 25,000 residents and is extremely busy day and night. We do it because we love it. We love it so much that some of us are paid firemen in the neighboring county or city, and when we come home from work we are a volunteer for our home town.

[@NajSupreme]

What town are you for bro? I’m in Nassau county and I’m looking to become a volunteer also.

[@Nycmade_]

Probably in a town up north lol

[@nevillemason6791]

It doesn't seem fair that the good people of Long Island get a fire service on the cheap. In the UK on-call firefighters (responding from home or work place) are all paid (with very rare exception in remote areas where fires are very few). They get a 'retainer' fee according to the hours they can be available, a fee for turning out and paid the same hourly rate as full time fighters usually a minimum 2 hours. The Retained Duty System (RDS) is used in most country areas 100%. In some towns the fire station day shift crews are full time and the night shift operated by RDS. In some towns the 1st response to a fire is by full a time crew backed up by RDS. Training/practice evening weekly.

[@obseverviewer685]

Rual Fire & Rescue Units are the Back Bone of American Public Service. -God Bless you Folks All the Time! 🚨🚒🇺🇸📢 👍

[@gregnorthrop6046]

Been A Volunteer or Part-paid k

[@jessicaburdell7779]

The department in my current town of Ringoes, NJ is all volunteer and literally just up the street from that of my workplace. Mad props and respect to ya'll and what you guys do and put your every and all on the line, with your only pay being simply that of the good of the community.

[@elbartol1069]

Nice Video 💪 From a volunteer fire fighter in Germany

[@zusyee8926]

I cant help but saying: *Very Fine Video*

[@engineco.1494]

Wouldn't trade it for the world!! Proud to serve!!

[@lorielpoteat882]

I like this video . I come from a small town . And my dad was volunteer firefighter for 22 years.

[@moniquemcpherson6927]

I remember the RMES, near Bragg Creek, Alberta. My dad was a captain from 1981 to 2011. As a proud "Captain's daughter", I tip my "helmet" to the crews past and present. If I designed the front shield on the helmets, mine would read "Captain, 57, RMES". Stay safe, everyone !!

[@ben2177]

Great video!

[@abbyeberly7920]

this was in Lykens, PA. i grew up in williams town and moved to lebanon 2 years ago

[@lorirodriguez2388]

Being a firefighter isn't easy but I've learned how to help the firefighters I was helping in the ladies auxiliary I had memories of helping them but a few years ago I retired but I still remember the good times and memories

[@spillzz1239]

God bless stay safe God loves y’all all I hope everyone has a blessed day and great day ✝️🙏✝️🙏

[@alannewport4553]

Hi iam from England we have volunteers as well I was a volunteer in the 1960 it was different over here the sirens went off and we responded. Then tasked to our vehicles then detached and then deal with our local community. Lots of different stores. Not now.

[@TheRealPervySage]

Thanks for the good video

[@vendetta1306]

I'm going to apply once I'm done welding school

[@firefightervlog3183]

Vendetta I’m doing both I been a firefighter for 5 years and I just got into welding

[@SuperColonel91]

Go for it!

[@23t22]

I'm taking up volunteer firefighting when I get out of the Army

[@klad2860]

What a chad.

[@tardre3145]

Don’t waste your time and just apply at a paid department

[@mateuszjasinski3702]

@@tardre3145 explain to me how being in the volunteer fire department is a “waste of time”.

[@steffydagoat4338]

@@Qourie currently in army national guard 17 trying to become a fire fighter it’s possible just gonna be challenging

[@RamboJohnJ]

Why not stay in and get your firefighter training before taking your discharge….

[@j22ton]

I am a Volunteer Fire Medic 🚑🚨 for the North Massapequa Fire Department on Long Island, NY

[@Nycmade_]

John McKeon omg thank you for your services volley fire medic

[@fernnan6981]

How much time they require and can you pick your time ?

[@reaper6088]

Day in the life of a Volunteer Firefighter: Work/School then to Firehouse for a few hours then home with the pager on, go to bed wake up and go to fire house when tones drop do your duty go back home. REPEAT. 23 Years Volunteer. 5th Generation Volunteer.

[@sejfer]

Firefighters = Heroes! :)

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

Great video

[@ffggxfhhvgffhgdtygxyggeyhgfhfg]

Wh would anyone thumb down this video. Im a pround volunteer firefighter in iowa. Shout out to all my brothers and sisters around the world paid and volunteer. Stay safe and God bless...

[@JeffreyDonaldson-wb5rv]

Nothing wrong with volunteers. but most of the officers are joke.. Unqualified to be real leaders also. Just by some of them their monthly allotment in booze and they'll be your leader.

[@bryanmueller6993]

Nice video

[@sigsourr]

Where’s the part where he sits at his office job?

[@haileypuerner131]

My family have all been volunteers for the fleetville fire company in Pennsylvania my mom is a volunteer firefighter, real estate agent and works a 9-5 job I don't know how she does it sometimes

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

❤❤❤❤

[@firerescue2283]

I am a 16 year old junior firefighter in NC, Its funny cause our department is also station 22

[@mattpage7423]

Im a Volunteer firefighter from Oklahoma

[@mikedilorenzo7884]

Do you guys respond with blue lights to the station to catch the truck or the bus?

[@landonpowell6296]

How much time does volunteer firefighting take, and how much of that time is doing runs vs training vs other stuff? I work full time but I'd like to help my local community.

[@cartconrad4426]

Landon J Powell you train a lot some vol fire department of duty crew for 12 hours and like training then is well my duty we trained all the time its none stop but than these class you will need take you be training all the time and going class

[@cmongler8353]

Your talking a few hundred hours of training to get firefighter 1 in the state of pa it’s roughly 176 hours of training at a community college near me my department ran a total of 641 calls with 1537 hours and 18 minutes on active incidents hope this helps your question

[@kartracer5g229]

The basic training to become a firefighter goes in modules ... a b c d .. A and B are exterior firefighter training.. . Basically just to know what your really doing to help on the outside ... C and D are interior mods that teach you how to actually go In and fight the fire inside the building. Roughly 188 hrs for all the mods .. once you complete them you should though it's not required take the 16 hour structure burn class just to get a taste of somewhat the heat and conditions will be like in a safer controlled environment.. then your set as a basic interior ff after that you can keep taking certifications or you can let it at that and learn more on the job and in station training.... another I'd recommend is bvrt certification.... ( basic vehicle rescue technician) that allows you to use the jaws of life tools to free people entrapped in vehicle accidents... the level of training past those is all in how far you want to further the skills you have ... best of luck it's the best job you will ever do!!

[@nicktills2786]

You need to not listen to all these comments... call your local fire academy and see what the requirements are for the state you live in, some states require you to only have your fire fighter cert to volunteer on an engine or truck company... however, you may need to obtain your EMT cert to ride on a rescue truck for medical purposes.

[@natepollen1002]

I'm joining my local VFD in my town its a medium sized small town

[@usernameredacted439]

how'd it go?

[@traderjoes8725]

Great video ! @4:18 same in Germany. Training gets more and more demanding. @10:30 This attitude is excellent, however I think even volunteer Firefighters should get a compensation somehow. Otherwise it will become even more difficult to find new members. Greetings from Germany. Gott zur Ehr dem nächsten zur Wehr!

[@elizabethtae1722]

My town pays volunteer firefighters, I’m going to meet my team today and had no clue I’d be compensated for being a volunteer

[@traderjoes8725]

@@elizabethtae1722 That's great! Especially in small towns and rural areas, the commitment of all inhabitants is priceless and crucial. It determines the quality of life and safety of our families in rural areas.

[@elizabethtae1722]

@@traderjoes8725 I hope I get hired in 60 days! 👩‍🚒🤞🏻 I’m. 5’2” 100lb female so I’m concerned that I might not meet the challenges in the near future but hope I can push through!

[@traderjoes8725]

@@elizabethtae1722 Good luck. I am confident that you will make it. A common misconception is that you must have at least Superman powers to do volunteer EMS services. There are many tasks and positions, so there is something for everyone. Of course, the situation is different for professional paid firefighters.

[@jimmydesanta3253]

I’m thinking about being a volunteer firefighter

[@daving.7044]

Lombardbros gamingfan Go for it. I just joined today!

[@firstname8262]

@@daving.7044 Do you need to complete fire academy to become a volunteer?

[@philip8753]

A woman doing my dream job i love it i love a woman in turnout gear

[@Squad14B]

She is in my family

[@ChrisPhotographsSirens]

Someone that’s in my family

[@billybrown6236]

lol my department runs just under 100 calls a year, and we dont do medical calls unless is Drug overdose, or cardiac arrest

[@warrenelchannel8599]

What if a person wants to volunteer as apposed to paid department; does this makes them any less a firefighter than the ones paid?

[@joeybagofdonuts23]

Soon as them tones drop we all do the same job

[@bigdog4166]

No not at all the main difference is usually the paid firefighters are always at the station and this is their full-time carrer 24 on 48 off or something similar. Volunteer firefighters usually have jobs and respond to calls when available like outside of work and stuff like that or at night. Also Volunteering is a great way to learn if being a firefighter is something you want to do proffesionally.

[@damageincorporatedmetal43v73]

I had a crush on Baxter, she was another my Mom would call a Bonnie Maroney

[@Buck_223]

After u volunteer and get the training can u go professional

[@michaelz7683]

Of course

[@Lucanos]

Interesting video. Wasn't really "A Day in the Life of a Volunteer Firefighter", though. More "Get to Know your Firefighters".

[@alonso1924]

"i fIGhT wHaT yoU FeAR"

[@kellyj5389]

Around here the vollies don’t show up fo thier runs. So, we have to take them. All the vollies I know like to talk about it. Have all the bells and lights and shirts they wear 24/7. But then don’t take the runs. Sad really

[@thomassmyte6034]

I assume you are a paid Firefighter How many calls would you be able to take if you not getting paid ? How often would you be able to take a call if you were working another job 10 or 12 Hrs a day ?

[@kellyj5389]

There is a few depts that require thier volunteers to show up. If not, they are done. The reality is; volunteer firefighting in Ohio is dying. No one shows up. If you can't make the runs, find another hobby. I have been on one of the big “C” depts for 24 years now. So yes. I’m a professional.

[@JohnDoe-yq5bd]

“Professional” get fucked being paid doesn’t make you anymore professional I’m on a vollie department that runs the exact same as any big city career department in terms of training, shifts, call volume etc.

[@jeffcivjeep7]

Same here in TN with a lot of departments. Or they show up with zero gear and look like they sre trying to butfuk a greased up hog.

[@braydencuthbertson3995]

Yea I’m on a full time department myself and we hit a fire almost every shift not uncommon to have up to 3 a day not quite sure your volunteer department is doing that

[@stevenbeuving7094]

What state is this in?

[@megb_photos]

Steven Beuving PA!

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

​@@megb_photos great video

[@damageincorporatedmetal43v73]

Just like a one winged dove... there's a problem on the res !!!

[@damageincorporatedmetal43v73]

I'm not known to be lax like that...🤔

[@Bloor11]

Lt. Beard lol

[@buzman1985]

It’s spelled “Whacker”

[@wiggerj0nes104]

TRUCK 22

[@bailiecook6149]

i want volunbteer

[@nerdydude1.882]

I expected tea and cyphers

[@snoboardram95]

😂 looks like a high speed crew

[@tigwelder33]

Need to be paid.

[@mateuszjasinski3702]

If it’s a rural town then most towns have bo choice but to use a volunteer service.

[@jacibutler9196]

Do you get paid?

[@korbin895]

Volunteer definition: a person who FREELY offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.

[@richardcox8211]

No! Keyword volunteer

[@lilacdreams5917]

They do get paid!!!!

[@claytonhayes3024]

@@lilacdreams5917 rarely do they get paid

[@firefighter282]

Wanna know just one of many shitty experiences I’ve had so far? Is career firefighters hating volunteers, just didn’t expect that to be that way. Thought if you fought fire you were in a brother hood and it’s more like a family feud. Idc if your paid or not, have respect for what people do.

[@dickkymorris9244]

😂😂😂

[@tachanka9697]

America has still lots of firefighting techniques to learn, this looks so primitive.

[@guitarist405th]

and you have a lot to learn about proper grammar.

[@tachanka9697]

@@guitarist405th Well sorry if I haven't yet mastered my third language. Rgrds: Finnish firefighter volunteer

[@kartracer5g229]

We have a lot to learn yet European depts are starting to adopt our techniques... yup totally makes sense... lmfao.

[@tachanka9697]

@@kartracer5g229 Who was talking anything about Europe? I am from Finland

[@tachanka9697]

@@ethancothran3188 I am very sorry if I sounded rude that wasn't my purpose at all! I am still working on with my self-expression. And yes Finland is in Europe and we are part of the European Union, but that doesn't mean that all of the countries inside the union are alike. We have our own culture and we have our own way of doing things.

[@Phoenix411th]

Can you be a volunteer firefighter if you're legally blind

[@hypethevipe5724]

You can do anything just put ur self to it and help

[@Phoenix411th]

@@hypethevipe5724 thanks

[@youmadbro742]

LT should know better than to have a full beard. Shameful

[@djwewb4638]

Broke.

[@eviltwiiin]

Not everything is about money.