The Western Berks Fire Department is always looking for passionate, community centered volunteers. Individuals can volunteer as firefighters, fire police members, or support members. Individuals wishing to volunteer with the WBFD need to fill out an application and submit to necessary background checks. There are many benefits of joining the team at WBFD which includes provided training, provided equipment, and a firefighter incentive program.

The Western Berks Fire Department offers its members the opportunity to earn reimbursement from a incentive program, based upon the individuals training level and the number of calls they have responded to in a given quarter during the year. The program has some minimum requirements, one of them being the individual must make 10% of the emergency incidents in a given quarter. If the member makes 10% or above, they would be eligible for a per call reimbursement at a rate of $6.00, $8.00, or $10.00 per call. This rate is determined by the current level of training the individual holds.

The incentive program also reimburses members for participating in training classes and certifications achieved. Each training and certification is reimbursed at a pre determined rate based on the certification or classroom hours.

The Western Berks Fire Department allows individuals to join the department as a junior member while they are at the ages of 14 to 17. These members are allowed to start their training and learn about the department to prepare them for when they are 18 and eligible to take additional training to be an interior firefighter. These members are able to respond to certain calls, however they are restricted in what they can do on the call. Junior members are also limited on hours they are allowed to volunteer, which is based on the PA child labor laws.

Individuals who are 18 or older can volunteer as a firefighter with the Western Berks Fire Department. These members are classified as an exterior firefighter or interior firefighter. New members with limited or no training will be classified as an exterior firefighter and be limited to what they can do on emergency incidents until they complete the required training to become an interior firefighter.

Individuals who would like to volunteer with the fire department, however do not want to respond to emergency incidents as a firefighter, can still volunteer with the Western Berks Fire Department. Please contact the Fire Commissioner to see what positions are currently needed.

What to Expect

When looking to join the Western Berks Fire Department, an individual should understand that the process of membership approval could take up to a month after the application is received. Once the application is received, the necessary background checks are obtained and then the application will be presented within the departments monthly meeting, which occurs on the third Tuesday of the month. After your application has been approved by the board of trustees, you will receive notification from the Fire Commissioner that you have been approved for membership. After this occurs, the member will meet with the Fire Commissioner to go over expectations and will be issued their probationary book. After meeting with the Fire Commissioner, the member will be issued gear and can participate in department drill nights (Monday evenings), trainings, and emergency calls.

WBFD Application

Below is a Western Berks Fire Department membership application. Please download the application and fill it out. Any questions can be directed to the Fire Commissioner.

Volunteer Opportunities

What to Expect

WBFD Application

WBFD Membership Application

Member Links

Community We Serve

Contact

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering with WBFD

Firefighter Incentive Program

Volunteering as a Jr. Firefighter

Volunteering as a Firefighter

Volunteering as a Support Member

What to Expect

WBFD Application

WBFD Membership Application

Member Links

Community We Serve

Contact