The West Hazleton Volunteer Fire Company was founded in 1888, making it one of the Oldest Fire Companies in the Hazleton Area. Since its inception, West Hazleton Fire Department has been setting the standard of Emergency Services in the Area.

The West Hazleton Fire Department is comprised of both Paid and Volunteer Firefighters and other Emergency Responders. At 1 point in History, WHFD Comprised of 8 full time paid Firefighters, Numerous Part Time paid Firefighters, and a Volunteer Staff exceeding 30 Active Firefighters. As times have changed, so has the amount of Firefighters. Today, due to Lay Off’s brought by Borough Council; WHFD includes 2 Full Time Paid Firefighters, Numerous Part Time Paid Firefighters who are on Laid off Status, and a group of 20 Active Volunteers. The West Hazleton Fire Department is proud to be led into action by Fire Chief Robert J. Ward. Chief Ward has served the Department in both Career and Volunteer status’s since 1974. Accordingly, Chief Ward is known throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as being one of the most progressive, experienced, knowledgeable, and longest tenured Fire Chief.

West Hazleton Fire Department has a proud past and a strong vision for the future. The members of the Fire Department have always strived to be the best at what they do, and to bring new technology to the forefront. Some of the accomplishments we achieved are being THE FIRST in the area to acquire the Hurst Jaws of Life Rescue System in the 1970’s, and to become amongst the 1st in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to become State Certified in Vehicle Rescue. That tradition still lives on today, as West Hazleton Fire Department still boast a roster full of Vehicle Rescue Technicians. The 1990’s brought the formation of the Area’s FIRST Hazardous Materials Response Vehicle. Also, WHFD was asked to participate in the Technical Rescue Team of Luzerne County which is comprised of six Heavy Rescue Companies through Luzerne County. West Hazleton is the sole TRT Unit from the Southern End. The new Millennium brought more success to the West Hazleton Fire Department. WHFD was the Area’s FIRST to equip both of it Engine Companies with Automated External Defibrillators. With that, WHFD started an EMS Division which comprised of a 1st Responder Engine Company staffed with Paid Firefighters responding on EMS Calls within the Borough of West Hazleton. Then September 11, 2001 came. A day that changed America. WHFD was placed on Alert as part of the TRT of Luzerne County for possible responses to the Terrorist Attacks in New York City. Although we did not respond, West Hazleton’s Bravest spent days and hours preparing. After September 11, West Hazleton Fire Department began to expand onto Weapons of Mass Destruction. In 2005, WHFD was selected by the South Central Terrorism Task Force to acquire over $100,000 in WMD Equipment including State of the Art Meters and Chemical Protective Suits. Also, WHFD Members are trained to the Hazardous Materials Technician Level, and receive special training in Weapons of Mass Destruction. Two members are also serving on the Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Team. Again, the members of the West Hazleton Fire Department stand ready for the challenges ahead.

West Hazleton Fire Departments future, was founded in it’s past. Rest assured, that the Men and Women of the West Hazleton Fire Department will continue to answer the call to duty, and will always strive forward to provide the BEST protection available to West Hazleton’s Residents, business’s, and Visitors!