Do I need to have prior experience or training to be a firefighter or EMT?
No previous experience or training is necessary to become a Radnor Fire Company volunteer.  You will need training, and you will have to attend classes to become a certified firefighter or EMT – these are provided at no cost to you.

What type of training is provided or available?
Radnor volunteer firefighters and EMTs meet the same high standards as career firefighters and EMTs.  We are unpaid, but we are professionals.  Essential firefighting or EMT skills are learned during the Firefighter I and EMT courses, respectively.  But we take pride in keeping our skills sharp and up-to-date. We hold weekly training drills and encourage members to pursue other learning opportunities with neighboring departments and in the region.   

For firefighters, this includes specialized sessions in Motor Vehicle Extrication Operations, Pump Operations, Fire Ground Operations, Driver Training, Confined Space Rescue, and much more.

EMTs learn CPR and first aid, human anatomy, pharmacology, techniques for assessing conditions, and much more.

What types of calls does Radnor Fire Company & EMS respond to?
You name it, we get it. Part of the challenge of being a firefighter or EMT is that you never know what situation you’ll encounter when the call drops – we’re prepared for it all!  

Radnor Fire Company responded to 864 fire calls and 2,376 EMS calls in 2018 – the fire trucks and ambulances often respond together.  In addition to residential and commercial fires and medical emergencies requiring transport to the hospital, we respond to motor vehicle accidents, rescue situations, gas leaks, hazardous material incidents, brush fires, floods, and much more.  Our EMS squad also stands on call at large public events, such as concerts and high school sports.

What are the benefits of volunteering?
Radnor volunteers learn emergency response and leadership skills that can lead to a new career in emergency response, public safety, or medicine or help someone advance in an existing career.

For teens, the junior firefighter program is a fantastic means of career exploration. It also looks great on a college application or resume.

Many find volunteering fulfills a desire to give back in a tremendously important way to the community they love. Others crave the challenge or excitement of emergency response. 

All who join will gain a community of friends that feel like family. The camaraderie of a firehouse is like nothing you’ve experienced. 

Also see Why Should I Volunteer?

Can I volunteer without fighting fires or providing emergency medical service?
Yes.  We need non-emergency volunteers to maintain our vehicle fleet and station, run fundraisers, help with recruitment and retention, and a host of other important things. Volunteering this way takes a lot of pressure off of our first-responders!  Please see Volunteer Opportunities to learn more.

I’m in!  But I’m not 18 yet. What can I do?
Become a junior firefighter!  Teens ages 16 and 17 participate in nearly every aspect of training and respond in a support role to emergency calls.