I was born into firefighting. My dad was a firefighter, as were uncles and grandparents. I grew up around the firehouse and liked seeing the camaraderie.
We have both respect for tradition and a willingness to adapt. If a young guy has an idea, we’re willing to hear them out and run with it. We’re open to new opinions so that we can develop with changes that occur with the volunteer fire service.
As chief, the most rewarding part is hearing from other companies how impressed they are with our company.
The most rewarding part of being a volunteer firefighter is knowing that you’re helping somebody out. You’re doing everything you can to make somebody’s bad situation not so bad for them.
We just try to focus on our company and doing what we can to be the best company we can be. We work hard, we do a lot of training, and it pays off. When we respond to calls, we act with the highest level of professionalism. We get off the truck and we’re prepared.
Steve Kozlowski, Assistant Chief: 5 years
Exciting, Tight-Knit, Home
Firefighting interested me from the time I was around 10 years old. I joined my first company at 14 years old.
Elkins Park is a tight knit group. The guys here all have their own areas of expertise, which is fantastic because you can really pull from that. Whether it’s structural firefighting, command presence, rescue, it’s endless knowledge shared on a variety of topics that comes together to make Elkins Park great.
I really like how when we’re all at the firehouse, maybe for a work detail or we’re all just hanging out, then once the pager goes off, it’s game time, whether it’s a fire alarm or a building fire. We all switch into that mindset of “Hey, we have a job to do.”
It’s so rewarding, knowing you were able to make a bad situation just a little bit better. In one fire, the house was completely lost, but we saved the Christmas presents that had been under the tree.
EPFC is a home. It’s a place you can go to when there may not be another place, or if you’re having a struggle with something in your personal life. There’s always someone there. The depths of firefighting is much further beyond the image of a firefighter.
Darren Harrison: 20 years
Family, Dedication, Community
9/11 prompted me to want to get into the fire service and serve my community as a first responder.
My favorite part is the brotherhood. I feel committed to not let a brother or sister down. That’s what keeps me going, gets me out of bed for night calls.
When you have someone saying, ‘Thank you for your service,’ it makes everything worthwhile.
You build relationships, and it’s what brings people here and keeps people here. You put your life in others’ hands, so there is an appreciation, a mutual responsibility and respect. No matter why you do it, you’re united in that you’re firefighters.
Like any hurdle, it’s tough but once you finish the task at hand, there is a sense of accomplishment – no matter what stage of life you’re in.
Mort Levy: 19 years
A Class Operation
It’s a well-run organization, and we have orderly meetings which is a big deal!
The members here are willing to learn.
My favorite part of being a firefighter is that there’s always another challenge.
The most rewarding part of being a member here is seeing younger members become drivers and officers to lead the company into the future.
In terms of total commitment, it’s your family, your work, then the firehouse.
Jason Sladinski: 11 yrs
Exciting, Progressive, Aggressive
I grew up in the world of service. My dad was a volunteer firefighter before starting a family. I became a firefighter at age 19 outside of Harrisburg, and in the Navy with an advanced team of first responders.
We have a really diverse group different political opinions, as well as racial and age diversity, from our juniors program to 40+ year veterans. We’re trying to be the best we can be, and we have an openness where people can voice their opinions and be heard.
We’re really trying to be the best we can be, and there is also an opportunity for growth.
The most rewarding part is to help people when they’re in need. Sometimes people make mistakes [that lead to the calls we get], but it’s great that we are able to be there to help and console them in that time.
The fire service has given me skills I can transfer over into my professional job; I am looked upon in my career for safety expertise.
Logan Byers: 4 years
I joined at first in the junior program. As a junior firefighter, learning all the tactics is pretty exciting, because when you actually get to a situation where you have to use that skill, it feels nice to be prepared.
Every time I had an interview with a recruiter or with a college, I told them about my volunteering and they were very impressed, and I would hear back from them.
I would tell others to really consider joining the fire service because it’s very rewarding to be part of this mission helping the community, and it’s a fun experience.
I once had to go to a fire call over being with my friends, but when I was riding my bike past them [to get to the fire station], they just stopped, looked at me, and started clapping and that was just amazing!
Everybody at EPFC is nice and it feels like a second family. When you’re having trouble at home, it feels nice to be with other people and have each others’ backs.
Ed McMahon, Active Dept President; Safety Officer: 11 years
Committed, Responsible, Motivated
It’s the feeling of doing something good for community, helping neighbors.
When we go to somebody’s house, maybe for a fire alarm, it seems like nothing to us, but when we fix their problem and people emphatically thank us, that means a lot to me.
The company is all there to help and support you through training. Rely on other firefighters if you have a problem or a question. Use the people around you as much as you can.
Thomas Higham: 5 years
I’m actually a 4th generation firefighter. As a little kid I had firetrucks in my room – it’s always had a large impact on my life. I’ve always wanted to give back to my community, so this seemed like a logical fit for me!
EPFC has given me a lot more opportunity to experience more facets of what the fire service offers. From alarms to rescues, being a member at Elkins Park has made me a better firefighter overall.
Living at the station, you make all night calls. Getting out of bed for a call isn’t fun, or going on a day off. It’s a big time commitment, but it’s entirely worth the time you put into it.
I love giving back to the community and seeing how excited little kids are to see us. We are able to be a positive role model for children in the neighborhood to look up to and to get excited when they see the truck. That’s something small that’s very rewarding – seeing the impact we have on young people.
Membership here has made me a better person. The fire service as a whole has made me more disciplined, a better member of a team, a better communicator – a better person overall. It’s given my life a purpose and a reason to get out of bed.
You get to impact your community in a way that you can see happening right in front of you. We see people on their lowest days and get to directly help in that time. We save lives. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
You can WATCH the positivity happening right in front of you.
Rob Armstrong, Lieutenant: 19 years
Relevant, Diverse, Best
When you’re a kid you may dream of being an athlete, astronaut, etc. I tried the athletic road, but firefighting is something I saw at a young age and volunteering made that interest possible. When I was a kid and visited the firehouse – the smell of a firehouse, the smell of the gear, the trucks, even the smell of a fire, drew me in.
The most obvious reward to being a firefighter is that we’re helping the community, but beyond that, there’s the enjoyment of riding on firetrucks, putting on gear, hearing the sirens and the adrenaline rush – but all for a good cause.
I played sports my whole life, so I always had a team. This is a totally different kind of team – but now that athletics are done, this fills the need in my life for having a team.
Our whole firehouse is the heart of the operation. You grow as a person because so many different personalities are there. It teaches you how to deal with other people in everyday life.
We’re in a prime location. It’s a busy area, the center of the township. There’s a lot of history, it’s also residential and homey. Our company takes care of our firefighters, keeps you safe.
Mike Zalot: 7 years
Dedicated, Hardworking, Dependable
When I joined, it felt like a good fit right from the start, and I couldn’t imagine being with another company.
The work, you do it because you love firefighting. But the group of guys the relationships I’ve built are what keep you interested to keep showing up. We get together outside of the firehouse, we take classes together, we do a lot more than running to calls.
It’s so rewarding seeing how citizens react when we show up; how grateful they are, how much they appreciate what we do. Whether it’s a building fire or burnt food, everyone’s really happy to see us.
It’s had a great impact on me, building relationships and friendships I’ll have for life. Serving this area where I grew up will stick with me forever.
Timothée Josset: 3 years
I joined to give back and feel like I’m doing something good in the world.
My favorite part is the adrenaline.
The most important thing I’ve learned here is safety and trust, but I’m constantly learning.
People should join because you feel better about yourself when you give of your time and self with no expectation of return.
Derek Wiley, Assistant Engineer: 3 years
I joined to give back and be able to help in the community, to serve and to bring my skills as a driver and mechanical work to help make EPFC one of the best companies in the area.
My favorite part of being a member is getting to know the different members and associating with them.
The most important thing I’ve learned is how to fight fire as well as how to help save someone’s life through CPR.
People should join to help and support the community as well as to better the company with the skills they have to offer.
Joshua Broyde: 4 years
Being a firefighter is an excellent way to serve the community in a meaningful fashion, while also staying in shape and getting out of the house.
Check out what our members had to say about the benefits of being a volunteer with Elkins Park Fire Company
“A Second Family and Home Away from Home”
Elkins Park is a brotherhood. We have members of all ages and everyone brings something to the table. We’re hard on each other because we love each other. We’re serious about trainings, but we hang out together too. The firehouse becomes your second home.
The work, you do it because you love firefighting. But the group of guys – the relationships I’ve built are what keep you interested to keep showing up. We get together outside of the firehouse, we take classes together, we do a lot more than running to calls.
Elkins Park Fire Company is like a second home. You’re always welcome there, no matter how new you are to the company.
The membership is a family – you won’t always agree and you may have differences, but at the end of the day we must remain united.
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“Volunteer Experience”
The most important thing I have learned so far in my time at EPFC is how to become a better leader and team player.
Every time I had an interview with a recruiter or with a college, I’d tell them about my volunteering and they were very impressed. I was hearing back from them, and was ultimately accepted!
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“Celebrating Diversity”
These people are your neighbors and firefighting is such a rewarding experience. You meet so many different people from so many walks of life.
We have a really diverse group with different political opinions, as well as racial and age diversity, from our juniors program to 40+-year-old veterans. We strive to be the best we can be, and we have an openness where people can voice their opinions and be heard.
We have both respect for tradition and a willingness to adapt. If a young guy has an idea, we’re willing to hear them out and run with it. We’re open to new opinions so that we can develop with changes that occur with the volunteer fire service.
As a member, you make friends with people from all different walks of life, as well as getting to know the community you are protecting.
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“Reward of Helping Your Community”
It is one of the best decisions I have ever made – be a hero and serve your community as a first responder – wherever you go you will be thanked for your service and you will sleep at night knowing you have done a good deed each and every day for the betterment of your neighbors.
When we go to somebody’s house, maybe for a fire alarm, it seems like nothing to us, but when we fix their problem and people emphatically thank us, that means a lot to me.
Giving of your time and self with no expectations in return feels really good.
I wanted to be a firefighter to give back and be able to help in the community, to service and bring my mechanical skills to help make this station one of the best in the area!
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“Free Training”
Some of the most important things I’ve learned here are learning my limitations—knowing what I can and can’t do—and also knowing the member next to me has my back.
Everyone here has their own areas of expertise, which is fantastic because you can really pull from that expertise. Whether it’s structural firefighting, command presence, rescue; it’s a bunch of knowledge that comes together to make Elkins Park great.
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“Learning Life Skills”
As part of this company, you learn to fight fires but also learn first aid and how to help save someone’s life.
The job is fantastic once you learn it. As you gain experience, you’ll gain confidence and do things you thought you never could do. Elkins Park is a solid organization, with good people who will take you in, teach you, and accept you. There’s no better way to give back to your community. So all in all, it’s an investment in your life.
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“Being a Role Model”
We are able to be a positive role model for children in the neighborhood to look up to and to get excited when they see the truck. That’s something small that’s very rewarding – seeing the impact we have on young people. It’s given my life purpose and a reason to get out of bed.
The job is fantastic once you learn it. As you gain experience, you’ll gain confidence and do things you thought you never could do. Elkins Park is a solid organization, with good people who will take you in, teach you, and accept you. There’s no better way to give back to your community. So all in all, it’s an investment in your life.
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“An Amazing Experience”
You get to know other likeminded folks in the community, and the calls break up the monotony of the day. At Elkins Park Fire Company, you’re part of something with a history and a valuable mission.
Being a firefighter is an excellent way to serve the community in a meaningful fashion while also staying in shape and getting out of the house.
Like any hurdle, it’s tough, but once you finish the task at hand, there is a sense of accomplishment – no matter what stage of life you’re in.
The most obvious reward to being a firefighter is that we’re helping the community, but beyond that, there’s the enjoyment of riding on firetrucks, putting on gear, hearing the sirens and the adrenaline rush – but all for a good cause.