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This year's birthday was extra special for one 15-year-old from Montoursville. Nolan Wurster was surprised with the chance to ride alongside firefighters from the Montoursville Fire Department.
For the next year, Nolan will have the opportunity to ride along, observe operations and learn from the members of the department. When Nolan turns 16, he'll be eligible to officially join the ranks as a junior firefighter.
For nearly a decade, Nolan has been a familiar face around the borough's fire station, first visiting with his father, Travis Wurster, when he was just 4 or 5 years old.
What began as a childhood fascination with fire trucks and firefighters has grown into a passion for serving his community, one that has already led him to raise money for the department, help around the station and now begin learning firsthand what it means to be a firefighter.
"Just the thought of helping people just sits right with me," Nolan said when asked what draws him to firefighting.
His interest began with those visits to the fire station. As he grew older, he started spending more time there, watching firefighters at work and finding ways to lend a hand.
Eventually, living just a short distance from the station, he began riding his bicycle or scooter there on his own.
"If anything needed done around the firehouse, I would help out, wash trucks, wash gear, anything," Nolan said.
The firefighters have always been very welcoming to Nolan, he and his father agreed.
When he was about 7 or 8 years old, Nolan received a scanner as a birthday gift from Scott Konkle, who was Montoursville's fire chief at the time. Nolan has been listening to emergency calls ever since.
His father recalled how Nolan would race outside whenever the scanner sounded, waiting along Broad Street to watch the fire trucks pass and sometimes record videos of the responding trucks.
Over the years, he has become so familiar with emergency communications that he often recognizes the nature of a call from the tones before his parents understand what is happening.
Nolan's dedication hasn't been limited to helping around the station.
Since he was younger, Nolan has used his birthday as an opportunity to give back to the firefighter and with help from his family, provided meals for firefighters during department meetings.
His mother, Erica Wurster, father and grandmothers helped prepare or purchase food for the annual dinners as well.
The family also has organized raffles and collected donations for the fire company.
For his father, watching his son develop such a strong commitment to the fire service at an early age has been rewarding.
"He cares so much," said Travis.
"And to find a passion at the age that he's at, at the age that he was when he really started getting into this, to be able to find a passion and really care about something is really cool to watch," Travis added.
While some kids might gravitate toward sports or the arts, Nolan found his calling at the fire station.
"This is it for him, this is his passion," his father said.
That passion took another step forward Oct. 20, when Nolan turned 15 and became eligible to participate in the department's ride-along program.
For the first time, he could accompany firefighters as they responded to emergency calls, giving him an opportunity to observe their work and learn more about the responsibilities of the fire service.
He has already ridden along on three calls, although two responses were canceled before firefighters reached the scene. On the third, a medical emergency, Nolan remained in the fire truck.
"Just get experience," Nolan said of what he hopes to gain from the program.
Montoursville Fire Chief Tyler Schramm said the department is taking care to ensure Nolan's involvement is appropriate for his age and experience.
"One of the things that I had said to Nolan's parents was, you know, we definitely need to put parameters on what we allow him to go to and what he sees," Schramm said.
Still, the chief said Nolan has already demonstrated enthusiasm for the opportunity.
"He's ridden along so far on several incidents, and he loves it," Schramm said. "Trying to keep him engaged and wanting to continue to further his experience with wanting to serve the community at some point."
Schramm knows firsthand the value of introducing young people to the fire service. He joined as a junior firefighter at 14 and believes those early experiences can have a lasting influence.
"When you catch them young, and you bring them in and you give them some structure and some discipline and some standards, that can set you up for the rest of your life," Schramm said.
Nolan also understands the challenges volunteer departments face including recruiting members and raising money.
"They need help. They need members. They need any sort of funding," he said.
He encourages residents who cannot volunteer to support their local fire companies through donations, whether financial contributions or supplies such as bottled water and sports drinks.
Asked why it is important to have firefighters willing to volunteer their time.
"On your worst day, you have people there for you, and just people to help if you need help," replied Nolan.
His mother Erica said Nolan's commitment to the fire service has been evident for as long as the family can remember.
"From a very young age, he was fascinated by the fire service, and it has been incredible to watch that childhood interest grow into a true calling," said Erica.
"His commitment to learning, helping others, and giving back to his community speaks volumes about the person he is becoming," she added.
"As his family, we could not be prouder of his dedication and determination in pursuing his dreams," she said. "We are excited to see where this journey leads him and hope he continues to make a positive impact to those around him."
Nolan hopes eventually to serve as both a volunteer and career firefighter.
For now, he is content to learn from the men and women he has admired since childhood, gaining experience one call at a time.
And for Schramm, Nolan represents something important to the future of the volunteer fire service, a young person who already understands the value of giving back.
"It's a good experience not only for them, but also it does something for the community," said Schramm.