With a large female presence,
the Marshall Township Volunteer Fire Department
is a unique and valuable part of the community.
T
he Marshall Township Volunteer Fire Department
has been around since 1952, and the group has a long
history of service to the community. In 1972, the first
woman joined the company and, over the years, female
participation has continued to grow. Today, nearly 40 percent of
the group consists of women.
The Marshall Township VFD has no paid staff. “We are
proud to be 100 percent volunteer,” says Pauline Engeman, Vice
President.
Staffing is the group’s most difficult challenge, and they are
always looking to raise awareness and participation levels. “We
serve a transient, upscale area and recruitment is difficult due
to the lifestyle of our residents,” says Engeman. “Many work
long hours and travel, and the hours of training, call volume
and meetings to become a volunteer firefighter can preclude a
person’s involvement.”
Though a volunteer department, the organization has a strict
and rigorous protocol for new applicants, including passing
background checks, obtaining state clearances and submitting
to a physical with a physician. People can volunteer as young as
age 16. Firefighter candidates must complete basic fire training,
vehicle rescue, first aid, CPR and hazardous material training to
become an active brigade member. Additionally, members are
required to attend in-house trainings and various meetings to be
considered active members.
“Though rigorous, it’s important to us to have the same
requirements the state has for paid fire departments,” says Bill
Engeman, Captain. “With this same level of training we are able
to keep the community as safe as we can.”
This level of training becomes important, since the Marshall
Township Volunteer Fire Department is undoubtedly busy. “In
2018 we ran 551 calls,” Bill says. “Most call us to busy highways,
the Turnpike, Rt. 19—very busy and large urban areas, industrial
parks and expensive, high-end homes. We do not have EMS or
first responders, and we have to provide services commensurate
to these areas—they’ve come to expect expert service.”
If one cannot meet the strict demands of becoming an active
member of the group, it’s possible to become a company member
instead. Company members assist with non-firefighting duties,
including secretarial positions, photography, computer and
website assistance, and children’s programs and education.
“Our company members go to the local schools
and community events and teach children how to call 911 in the
event of emergency, in addition to creating family fire exit plans,”
says Pauline. “We’ve had more than one instance where it’s
proved important, including the time we received a 911 call from
a little girl in kindergarten who noticed smoke accumulating in
her house due to a damper not being opened. When we talked
to the girl and her parents after the event, she said she knew
exactly what to do because company members from the Marshall
Township Fire Department came to her classroom and taught
her what to do in that kind of emergency. Education is very
important to our group.”
The department is also highly involved in the community and
looks forward to many events for all ages, including a Halloween
Parade, Breakfast with Santa and Marshall Township Community
Day. Members also make themselves available for birthday
parties and block parties, should someone be interested in a bit of
fire education.
“Contrary to popular belief, our fire department is not the
typical old boys’ club,” says Pauline. “A common perception of
fire companies is a group of guys with jacked-up trucks, who use
the fire hall as a party place. We don’t permit alcohol, we don’t do
fundraising events and, for the most part, are an older crowd.”
All of the elected 2019 executive board positions have been
filled by women. “We believe we are the only fire department in
Pennsylvania to hold this distinction,” Pauline notes.
She believes there are a few reasons for the high percentage
of women who’ve joined the Marshall Township Volunteer Fire
Department. “Some are married to firefighters, others were
invited by friends or family,” she says. “Many are dedicated to
fire education, keeping the community safe and making it a
better place.”
“We believe our department is truly unique—a group of
educated professionals who also fight fires,” say the Engemans.
“We hope telling our story will interest both men and women
from the area to consider volunteering here at Marshall Township
or in any of the many fire companies throughout the area.” ■
“
We believe our department
is truly unique—a group of
educated professionals who
also fight fires. We hope telling
our story will interest both
men and women from the
area to consider volunteering
at Marshall Township or any
of the many fire companies
throughout the area.”
» For more information, or to become involved with the Marshall Township Volunteer Fire Department, visit marshallvfd.org. Meetings are
open to the public and take place the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the firehall, located at 270 Northgate Drive in Warrendale.
NORTH ALLEGHENY
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SPRING 2019
23