BY KELLIE DIETRICH

Special to The Press

New Year’s resolutions bring hope the year ahead will bring positive change.

What better way to make a difference in 2022 than joining Upper Macungie Township’s volunteer fire departments?

Volunteers save lives and protect property, but at the end of the day, are not so different from anyone else in the community.

They come from all professions and walks of life.

Upper Macungie Township has three stations that work together to serve more than 26,000 residents and businesses in western Lehigh County and are fully staffed by volunteer community members.

The three stations are: Fogelsville Volunteer Fire Company, Good Will Fire Company No. 1, Trexlertown, and Upper Macungie Township Station 56.

Anyone interested in making a life-changing resolution, follow these three steps:

Match interests to volunteer position

·Volunteer firefighters respond to residential and commercial fires, provide medical assistance and respond to vehicle rescues. Training and equipment are provided, too.

Firefighters learn the ropes and perfect their skills at weekly drill nights and through the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy.

·Not interested in fighting fires? Consider joining the fire police. During emergencies and community events, they direct traffic and crowds, keeping the public and first responders safe.

This role requires fire police to make decisions quickly. They assess the scene of fires and car accidents and determine if road closures are needed.

·Other ways to volunteer without fighting fires include fundraising, administrative tasks, and vehicle and grounds maintenance.

These volunteers are vital to keep Upper Macungie’s three fire stations running smoothly.

How much time is needed

·Volunteers are only asked to give as much time as they can and are not expected to attend all calls or fire company events. Whether you have a few hours to spare a week or a few hours a month, the volunteer fire departments of Upper Macungie will appreciate the extra help.

“There is always work to be done at our stations,” Director Bureau of Fire and Emergency Management Coordinator Peter Christ said. “Our volunteers work, attend school, are active in the military or have other obligations, so we appreciate any time they can donate as a volunteer.”

Fill out Inquiry Form

·To learn more about volunteering and see frequently asked questions, visit the volunteer fire departments of Upper Macungie Township’s website at umtfire.com. Visit the “Join Us” tab, fill out the inquiry form, and someone will respond.

“Volunteering is a great resolution if you want to help your community. The feeling of giving back and being part of our team is unlike any other,” Christ said.