Join Baldwin Fire Rescue
Neighbors Protecting Neighbors — Volunteer With Us
Baldwin Fire Rescue is an all-volunteer fire department serving Baldwin Borough, Allegheny County. We’re always looking for dedicated community members to join our team — whether you want to fight fires, support operations behind the scenes, or help with the business side of running a fire department. All training is provided free of charge.
Why Volunteer?
Free Professional Training
Receive training that would cost thousands of dollars — firefighting, emergency medical response, hazardous materials, technical rescue, and more. All certifications provided at no cost to you.
Serve Your Community
Make a real difference in the lives of your neighbors. When someone has the worst day of their life, you’ll be the one who shows up to help.
Brotherhood & Sisterhood
Join a close-knit team of people who have each other’s backs — on the fireground and off. The bonds formed in the fire service last a lifetime.
Personal & Career Growth
Develop leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and emergency management skills that transfer to any career. Many employers value volunteer fire service experience.
Stay Active & Fit
Firefighting is physically demanding and keeps you in shape. You’ll build strength, endurance, and mental toughness through training and real-world emergency response.
Tax Benefits & Incentives
Pennsylvania offers tax credits and property tax reductions for active volunteer firefighters. Baldwin Borough participates in the Volunteer Service Credit Program as an additional thank-you for your service.
Membership Types
Active Firefighter
Full members of the department
Active firefighters are the core of Baldwin Fire Rescue. As a full member, you’ll respond to emergency calls, attend regular training sessions and meetings, participate in department events, and have a voice in how the organization is run. This is the path for anyone who wants to be fully involved in all aspects of the fire service.
Includes: Emergency response • Training nights • Monthly meetings • Department events • Voting privileges
Associate Member
Firefighters who serve primarily at another department
Already a firefighter at another department? Associate members are trained firefighters whose primary commitment is elsewhere but who respond to fires and emergencies with Baldwin Fire Rescue when available. It’s a great way to increase your experience and help a neighboring community.
Includes: Emergency response • Flexible commitment • Cross-department experience
Business Member
The team behind the team
Running a fire department takes more than fighting fires. Business members handle the administrative side — fundraising, event planning, bookkeeping, communications, and more. If you want to support your local fire department but aren’t interested in firefighting, this is your path.
Includes: Administrative support • Fundraising • Event coordination • Department operations
Junior Member
Ages 14–17
Our junior firefighter program introduces young people to the fire service under close supervision. Juniors learn fire science, participate in hands-on training, and build leadership skills — all while earning a head start toward a career or lifelong volunteer commitment.
Learn more: Junior Firefighter Program details →
Training You’ll Receive
All training is provided free of charge. Active firefighter members work toward Pennsylvania Firefighter I and II certification (NFPA 1001) through a combination of department training nights and county-level courses.
Firefighter Essentials
Firefighter I & II certification per NFPA 1001 — fire behavior, building construction, suppression tactics, search & rescue
Emergency Medical
CPR/AED, first aid, oxygen administration, patient assessment — first responder medical training
Hazardous Materials
Hazmat awareness and operations — identification, containment, decontamination, safety protocols
Vehicle Extrication
Hydraulic rescue tools (Jaws of Life), vehicle stabilization, patient access and removal techniques
SCBA Operations
Self-contained breathing apparatus — donning, doffing, emergency procedures, air management, confidence training
Pump & Ladder Operations
Apparatus operations, pump theory, water supply, hose management, ground ladder deployment and rescue
Search & Rescue
Primary and secondary search techniques, victim removal, RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) procedures for firefighter rescue
Incident Command & Safety
ICS fundamentals, scene management, accountability systems, radio communications, and fireground safety protocols
No experience needed. We’ll teach you everything. Many of our members joined with zero firefighting background. The only requirements are a willingness to learn and a commitment to your community.
How to Join
Reach Out
Call us at (412) 881-9704 or email contact@baldwinfirerescue.org. Let us know which membership type you’re interested in. We’ll invite you to visit a station and see what we’re all about.
Visit a Station
Come to a training night or meeting. Meet the members, see the apparatus, and ask questions. There’s no commitment — just come see if it’s a good fit.
Submit Your Application
Fill out the membership application. You’ll provide basic information and indicate which membership type you’re applying for.
Background Check
Standard Pennsylvania clearances — PA State Police criminal history, PA Child Abuse History clearance, and FBI fingerprint check (required if you have lived in Pennsylvania for less than 10 years). These are required for all volunteer firefighters in the Commonwealth.
Membership Vote
Your application is presented to the membership at a monthly meeting. This is standard practice for volunteer fire companies in Pennsylvania — the members vote to accept new members.
Welcome Aboard
Once approved, you’re a probationary member. You’ll be issued gear, begin training, and start responding to calls. An experienced member will mentor you through your first months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need firefighting experience?
No. Most of our members joined with no prior experience. We provide all training free of charge — from basic fire science through advanced certifications.
How much time does it take?
That depends on your membership type and how involved you want to be. Active firefighters attend regular training and meetings. Life happens — we understand that work, family, and other commitments come first. We work with your schedule.
Do I have to live in Baldwin Borough?
Living in or near Baldwin is helpful for emergency response times, but it’s not a strict requirement. Contact us to discuss your situation.
What if I don’t want to fight fires?
That’s what business membership is for. We need help with administration, fundraising, event planning, and more. You don’t have to enter a burning building to make a real difference.
I’m already a firefighter at another department. Can I help?
Absolutely. Our associate membership is designed for exactly that. You keep your primary commitment to your home department and respond with BFR when you’re available.
Is there an age requirement?
You must be 18 to join as an active, associate, or business member. Our Junior Firefighter Program is open to ages 14–17 with parental consent.
Ready to Get Started?
Take the first step. Fill out a membership application or give us a call — we’d love to hear from you.
Related Information
- Junior Firefighter Program — For ages 14–17
- Membership Application — Start your application
- Our Fleet — See the apparatus you’d be operating
- Our Stations — Where we operate from
- About Us — Learn more about Baldwin Fire Rescue