PHOTO PROVIDED Firefighters conduct fitness training in February of 2025 in this photo from the Loyalsock Township Volunteer Fire Co.’s social media.

Like many volunteer fire and emergency medical services in Lycoming County, one of the busiest, Loyalsock Township Volunteer Fire Co., is trying to grow its volunteer manpower through an aggressive recruitment campaign.

A recent Facebook page post said it was looking for dedicated community members “ready to make a difference.”

It’s not the only company seeking such volunteerism.

But this company at 715 Northway Road, just off East Third Street and the Golden Strip, said being a volunteer is a way of serving your neighbors when they need it most, gaining valuable training and real-world skills, being a part of a close-knit team that feels like family and giving back to the community you call home.”

Here was the kicker in the Facebook post: “No prior experience? No problem. We provide training and mentorship for motivated individuals of all backgrounds. If you’ve been thinking about a meaningful New Year’s resolution, this is your sign. Interested in volunteering? Send us a message or visit station18.org to learn more.”

All types of backgrounds sought

Newly sworn-in Chief Shawn Bastian said while all of the above is true he mentioned that a common misconception is that anyone seeking to become a volunteer must be a firefighter or work on an ambulance service.

While those types of recruits are desired and welcomed, the company welcomes volunteers with all sorts of skills, educational backgrounds and talents.

Bastian added that while the company certainly welcomes men and women who want to be firefighters or work in emergency medical services, it also seeks individuals who might have a variety of other skills.

“We are looking for people with any kind of background,” Bastian said, listing a few of them such as people with knowledge of financial management, accounting, those who have background in maintenance of buildings or heating, ventilation and air conditioning, electrical and plumbing.

Volunteerism “down”

The numbers are low, he said, especially during the daytime shifts, as more people must work full-time to support themselves and their families.

Having individuals join who have a variety of skills and come with different backgrounds is critical in helping to relieve pressure and allow the firefighters/EMS to be focused on those roles, he added.

Asked about the number of volunteers, Bastian did not hesitate.

“They are low, but we are maintaining our community service,” he said.

Overall, there are 55 volunteers, of which 20 are truly active on the firefighter side, he said.

“We are mutual aid for other companies,” he said.

We also have a lot of people confuse Station 18 and Station 44 both of them located in the fire company building on Northway Road.

“Station 44 is our paid arm of Loyalsock Township,” Bastian explained. “Every day, seven days a week for eight hours the station has two professional paid firefighters on duty,” he said.

“They operate off of Station 18 box cards,” he said.

If Montoursville has a fire, they will go to assist, or if there is a fire in Eldred Township, they will assist, he said.

“They are not restricted to the township,” he said.

Mike Minnier is chief and administrator of that program. “Me and him work arm and arm,” Bastian said to “make sure both needs are met.”

The lack of volunteers is seen mostly during the daytime first-shift.

By maintaining the building and its needs, the company can save money and put that savings toward fire service emergency medical provisions – which are the primary directives.

One of the ways the company has been able to recruit prospective firefighters is how the company offers free in-house living for college students.

“All we ask for is assistance in response,” Bastian said.

It is ideal for those looking to volunteer in fire and EMS and gain experience.

“We offer 100 percent paid training for fire,” said Bastian.

But, as he said, the scope of volunteerism is broad.

“If somebody said they are a good mechanic and want to work on the trucks we are happy to have you assist with the trucks and then, maybe, they can take classes in fire or EMS,” he said.

The classes are paid for through various grants and funding.

“It is how I started,” said Bastian, who acknowledged he started out with an interest in maintaining radios throughout the station.

“I said, ‘hey, look, I can get basic fire skills and EMS skills, too,'” he said.

Serving as a firefighter, captain, lieutenant and assistant chief – 10 years later he has become chief of the company.

“I had no firefighter background in my immediate family,” he said.

Loyalsock Township, and no contract outside.

The company has sufficient apparatus. Last year, it purchased a new engine and there also is a rescue truck and a tanker. “These are the heavies,” Bastian said.

There also is one full time Advanced Life Support (ALS) vehicle and one part-time Basic Life Support (BLS) vehicle and an Incident Management Unit.

Under administration, the company is fortunate to have people “who have aged out,” and these seasoned members of the fire company – about 15 to 20 – regularly assist with administrative duties.

As for 2026, Bastian said he and the members of Station 18 have “got a lot of vision” for where the company can go.

“We are hoping for a younger perspective,” he said, adding he highly respects the older veterans and gladly accepts their advice and wisdom as he leads the company with a new voice and perspective, and the same commitment to serving the community.

“So much has changed, it always does, and I am sure it will continue to change,” he said.

With the veterans in the company and newer members – all of those together the company will be giving the community the best “we can give them,” he said.