The Upper Providence Township Department of Fire and Emergency Services is comprised of 6 independently chartered volunteer fire companies as well as a Township fire department office. Combined, the department boasts 120 active responders who are nationally certified in the essentials of firefighting. In addition, members of the department have achieved awareness, operations, and technician levels of training in:
- Vehicle rescue
- Hazardous materials response
- Structural collapse rescue
- Confined space rescue
- Trench rescue.
Upper Providence Township provides funding for our Township fire companies as well as neighboring companies that serve the Township. Most recently, in 2008, the Township allocated funding for the Volunteer Firefighter Incentive Program. This is a project designed to recognize our volunteer firefighters for their time and to help firefighters recover a percentage of their costs. Incentive checks issued to volunteer fire companies are divided among the members based on the number of calls they’ve participated in, the hours of training they’ve attended, and their levels of experience and responsibility. Similar to a bonus, the Township hopes to compensate volunteer fighters on an annual basis.
The value of the service provided by these volunteers cannot be overstated. The Board of Supervisors created this department and the Township Fire and Emergency Services Board to help provide a basic, consistent and standardized approach in providing emergency services within the Township and to best understand the financial, operational, and equipment needs of the volunteer fire companies.
In tax dollars, the volunteer fire service saves the township over 3.6 million dollars annually when compared to a career or full-time paid fire department. The township strongly encourages local residents to volunteer at their local fire company.
For more about the DFES browse the other pages in this section or call 610-933-9179.