One thing the community can count on when it comes to Southampton Fire Company is dedication. Since 1909 Southampton has been 100% volunteer and committed to providing top-tier service. To continue this dedication, Southampton Fire Company has launched a four-year recruitment campaign in order to grow its volunteer base and the foundation that has supported the company for over a century.  

To highlight its volunteers, the tagline, “One Team. One Mission. All Volunteer.” will be featured throughout the campaign, along with the URL “JoinSouthamptonFire.org.” The new recruitment website is a one-stop-shop for everything recruitment. Here, the community can learn about the volunteer experience at Southampton Fire Company, read frequently asked questions and member testimonials, and learn more about volunteer positions. 

“We look forward to continuing the standing tradition of volunteers at Southampton with the support of this campaign,” said Assistant Chief Dave Ridge. “Our hope is that the community will see the immense benefits of volunteering and will want to become part of our Southampton fire family.” 

The campaign will feature brochures, face-to-face recruitment, a 30-second commercial, social media management and much more. All materials will encourage people to visit JoinSouthamptonFire.org and express interest in volunteering by filling out an inquiry form.  

Southampton Fire Company’s recruitment campaign will run for four years and comes at no cost to the taxpayers. The campaign is being funded in its entirety through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Volunteer Opportunities 

Southampton takes great pride in its abilities, equipment, membership and company. Whether it’s going out on a call, visiting a school, or educating the public on fire safety, Southampton firefighters do it all. The fire company is dedicated to past, present and future members of the station who give so much to the community.  

“This company was founded on the backs of volunteers, making them a critical part of our fire company and community. We truly couldn’t do it without volunteers – they are essential to our mission, and we hope to add many more to our ranks,” said Ridge. 

No prior experience is needed to join this all-volunteer, firefighting family. Volunteers train three Monday nights per month in three different membership areas: 

Firefighter: Volunteer firefighters respond to fire and rescue emergencies in Upper Southampton Township and provide mutual aid to surrounding communities. Upon joining, volunteers meet the team and start learning basic firefighting skills, including rescue, hazardous materials, CPR and first aid. 

Junior Firefighters: Volunteers, ages 14 and 15, begin training to become a firefighter by learning different types of equipment and techniques used by the fire company.

At 16, juniors can start Firefighter I courses at the Bucks County Basic Fire Academy and gain real-world experience at fire calls by laddering buildings, running hoses and grabbing tools to assist active firefighters. 

Finally, at age 17, juniors can start training in live-burning buildings and interior firefighting modules.

Fire Police: As a fire police officer, the goal is to keep first responders and the public safe at the scene of emergencies. This includes regulating traffic, and protecting firefighting equipment and resident property. Ultimately, fire police volunteers allow firefighters to do their job without the interference of others. 

To bring attention to the need for more volunteers, Southampton Fire Company hired the services of The Communication Solutions Group Inc., a full-service public relations marketing firm based in Jenkintown, Pa. The company successfully ran recruitment campaigns for local fire and rescue organizations including Bristol Fire Company, Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance & Rescue Squad and Abington Township Fire Department.

To learn more about Southampton Fire Company or fill out an inquiry form, visit www.JoinSouthamptonFire.org. 

Editor’s note: To set up an interview with a volunteer, please contact Communication Solutions at 215-884-6499.