Learn about the Silverdale Fire Company!
The Silverdale Volunteer Fire Company is a modern well established all volunteer fire department located in beautiful Bucks County Pennsylvania. We provide emergency responses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day in all weather conditions. We protect a large portion of Hilltown Township primarily in the highest population area of the Township along with all of Silverdale Boro. We respond to all fires, large and small, accidents, medical emergencies and any situation where our equipment and training is needed. We are averaging over 500 emergency responses a year to all of our residents, businesses and everyday people passing through our first due area that need our assistance. We have strong mutual aid agreements with all of our neighboring fire departments and routinely work cooperatively with them for emergencies in our area and in theirs providing the maximum response capabilities as warranted by the situation.
We house an engine, a rescue truck, a field truck and a utility truck. Rescue 59 and Utility 59 are both certified QRS emergency response vehicles that are dispatched for accidents and medical emergencies. We also have Chief and Deputy Chief command vehicles.
None of our firefighters are paid but there are more tangible and rewarding benefits to being a member other than money.
How to Become a Fire Department Member!
There are multiple levels of membership for the fire department that you can join. For each level you will need to complete an application and be interviewed by our investigating committee prior to acceptance into the department. Silverdale Fire is non discriminatory in accepting members both qualified and unqualified barring any legal restrictions. Our process is rapid and there are no long extended waiting periods before you complete the application and are presented to the company as a prospective member.
ACTIVE FIREFIGHTER OR EMT FIREFIGHTER
This is the backbone of any fire department. As an active firefighter, we will provide you with all your gear necessary to help us fight fires and do all the other things a firefighter does when responding to emergencies and providing other services that are not emergency based. Firefighters are considered probationary for 6 months that start once accepted into our rolls. You are able to respond to emergencies during this probationary period and will be guided by our officers and senior members. You will be expected to attend Bucks County Fire School and become a Nationally Certified Firefighter. All training and materials needed are at our expense, not yours. If you have already attained firefighting certification, please bring those certifications with you to your interview. All new members are only asked to respond to calls, attend training nights, attend meetings and participate in different committess when you can. There are no minimum requirements.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN
Same guidelines as above except the EMT member will only respond to medical emergencies. If you are not already an EMT, you will be required to find an EMT program at your expense and become certified before you can provide medical care. You are not required to be in station or do shifts. Just respond when you can for medical dispatches, but as a member, you should also attend training nights, meetings and other department activities as you can.
FIRE POLICE OFFICER
Same general requirements as Firefighters and EMT’s except you will be required to attend fire police training at the Bucks County Fire School instead of firefighting certification and will be sworn in after completion of your fire police training by the local municipality. As a fire police member, you will direct traffic and secure a safe operating zone for our firefighters at emergency scenes. This is a high profile position as you must be able to effectively and courtesy deal with the public in the performance of your duties. All equipment and training is provided at no cost to you.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Associate members are department support personnel. You could be a laborer, teacher, mechanic, salesperson, attorney or physician. It does not matter what your career path has been because if you can offer your expertise and experience to the department in general operations, maintenance, fundraising IT skills or anyone just looking to help the department continue its’ mission, WE WANT YOU.
Junior Firefighter Program
JUNIOR FIREFIGHTER
We have a Junior Firefighting program designed for those who are 14 years old to 18 years old. junior members will be provided gear and training in house in addition to being able to attending training at the Bucks County Fire School at no cost to the junior firefighter. There are specific state guidelines specifying what the junior firefighter can do on an emergency scene that will be review once accepted as a member and such guidelines are posted at the firehouse. Junior firefighters will be assigned a mentor who is either an officer of the department or a senior member but all junior members are kept out of dangerous environments and are easily identified by hemet markings. Our junior firefighter program is a great way to instill discipline, self respect, community involvement and personal strength in our junior member. It is designed to give younger members an idea of what is to come when they are certified and of age to be an active member.
Stop by the firehouse any Tuesday night after 7 or whenever you see our doors open to get an application. You can also call us at 215-257-9620 or email our Deputy Chief at deputy-chief@silverdalefd.com
Flexibility
Family always comes first, but members of Silverdale Fire will find that we are accommodating to anyone’s schedule. Whatever time you can give is appreciated We understand that there are many things that can be a higher priority than volunteering at Silverdale Fire, and we are ok with that. Whatever you can give, we will gladly accept and appreciate.
Advancement
Advancement opportunities are available. You are limited only by your own ambition. You could become a driver, executive officer, line officer, or a Chief level officer. It could also lead to a full time position at a paid department if that is a goal.
Community
Satisfaction
The sense of satisfaction you receive by being there when someone needs you most is immeasurable and personally rewarding.
Camaraderie
You may make friends that will last a lifetime when you are working as a team helping others in need.
Service
Civic pride in making Hilltown Township and Silverdale Boro a better and safer place through your dedication and commitment.
Silverdale Fire Yearly Recruitment Campaign
Silverdale Fire is always looking to expand its ranks to keep pace with the surrounding population increases in our community. Do you work in the Hilltown/Silverdale area and have an employer that would allow you to serve the local community by leaving work for emergency calls? We have a spot for you. Work from home? We have a spot for you? Work odd hours? We have a spot for you Just have weekends available? We have a spot for you.
Other Benefits of Volunteering
You may qualify for tax rebates, college credits and other opportunities that being a member may hold for you.
COMPLETE AN APPLICATION TODAY!