As a 100% volunteer organization, Southampton Fire Company can always use more helping hands.

“You can never have too many people that are able and ready to serve at a moment’s notice,” said Brian Hantwerker.

He has been a volunteer firefighter at Southampton for over a year and a half, and also had four years of experience with a neighboring fire company.

Brian works for his dad’s company, which gives him the flexibility to respond to fire calls when he’s working in the area.

“I joined the fire service to follow in my dad’s and brother’s footsteps,” he said. “My overall experience with the Southampton Fire Company has been great; everyone is welcoming and nice! I’ve made many lifelong friends.”

Brian has benefited in numerous ways from volunteering, but says he’s grown the most socially.

“When I joined, I was shy and quiet, and had a small group of friends,” he said. “Now, I have a whole second family, and I’ve become more outgoing as a person.”

Brian has also learned many new skills and firefighting techniques. One of his favorite training drills is when participating in live burns at one of the local community colleges’ burn buildings.

“They are the most realistic thing we can replicate on the training grounds,” said Brian.

To anyone on the fence about joining, Brian invites them to visit them on a drill night (Mondays at 7:30 p.m.) to meet volunteers and see what takes place.

“You get the chance to make a difference in people from your community and surrounding communities’ lives and help them for the better. There’s just no greater feeling than that,” he said.

Interested community members can also fill out an inquiry form and a volunteer will contact you.