Q: How do I become a volunteer?
A: Please click here for information on how to become a volunteer.
A: Please click here for information on how to become a volunteer.
Q: I live in Whitehall Borough and have an alarm system for my residence/business. What phone number should the alarm company use to dispatch Whitehall Fire Company?
A: You should notify your alarm company to call 412-473-3370 (Allegheny County 911) for all fire alarm activations if you have a monitored fire alarm. Burglary alarms remain 412-884-1100. (Whitehall Police Dispatch).
Note that the Whitehall Police Dispatch has a 24-hour line at 412-884-1100 for emergency and non-emergency police responses.
Call 911 if you need the fire company or EMS. Call 412-884-1100 for Whitehall Police.
A: You should notify your alarm company to call 412-473-3370 (Allegheny County 911) for all fire alarm activations if you have a monitored fire alarm. Burglary alarms remain 412-884-1100. (Whitehall Police Dispatch).
Note that the Whitehall Police Dispatch has a 24-hour line at 412-884-1100 for emergency and non-emergency police responses.
Call 911 if you need the fire company or EMS. Call 412-884-1100 for Whitehall Police.
Q: Will the Fire Company install car seats in my car?
A: No, any resident who needs a car seat installed in their car should reach out to Medical Rescue Team South Authority located at 315 Cypress Way 412-343-5111
Q: Will I get billed for calling the Whitehall Fire Company?
A: The Whitehall Fire Company will only bill for excessive false alarms. We consider excessive false alarms to be three or more false alarms in a 30 day period.
A: The Whitehall Fire Company will only bill for excessive false alarms. We consider excessive false alarms to be three or more false alarms in a 30 day period.
Q: How do I donate?
A: Please click here for information on how to donate.
A: Please click here for information on how to donate.
Q: Why did I get a "Second Reminder" to donate if I've already donated?
A: When checks are mailed in or donations are made by card online, resident name and addresses go into a system that shows us who has donated. When the second mailing list is pulled from the system, it is just an error that residents who have donated end up on that list. If you have donated and have records to reflect it, you can disregard the letter. If you cannot find that your check was cashed, please reach out to us so we can verify if we received your donation.
A: When checks are mailed in or donations are made by card online, resident name and addresses go into a system that shows us who has donated. When the second mailing list is pulled from the system, it is just an error that residents who have donated end up on that list. If you have donated and have records to reflect it, you can disregard the letter. If you cannot find that your check was cashed, please reach out to us so we can verify if we received your donation.
Q: What should I do with my old fire extinguishers?
A: Old extinguishers can be disposed of as scrap metal once they have been depressurized.
A: Old extinguishers can be disposed of as scrap metal once they have been depressurized.
Q: When should I replace my fire/smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms?
A: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends replacing fire/smoke detectors every 10 years. CO alarms are typically less than smoke detectors at 3-5 years. Replacement of detectors and CO alarms may be manufacturer specific. Be sure to read all manufacturer instructions to know when it will be the best time for replacement. Manufacture dates can sometimes be on the back of the device. If there is no date, we recommend writing the install date in permanent marker.
A: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends replacing fire/smoke detectors every 10 years. CO alarms are typically less than smoke detectors at 3-5 years. Replacement of detectors and CO alarms may be manufacturer specific. Be sure to read all manufacturer instructions to know when it will be the best time for replacement. Manufacture dates can sometimes be on the back of the device. If there is no date, we recommend writing the install date in permanent marker.
Q: Does the Whitehall Fire Company provide fire/smoke alarms to the residents?
A: At this time we do not provide fire/smoke detectors to our residents.
A: At this time we do not provide fire/smoke detectors to our residents.
Q: Are the members of the Whitehall Fire Company paid?
A: No member of the Whitehall Fire Company is paid for his or her fire services. From the chief to the newest probationary firefighter, the Whitehall Fire Company is 100% volunteer.
A: No member of the Whitehall Fire Company is paid for his or her fire services. From the chief to the newest probationary firefighter, the Whitehall Fire Company is 100% volunteer.
Q: What is the minimum training for firefighters?
A: All Whitehall firefighters go through the Pennsylvania standard firefighting classes. In total, the classes add up to approximately 200 hours spread out over one year. For all information on the Pennsylvania Entry Level Fire Training Curriculum, please click here.
A: All Whitehall firefighters go through the Pennsylvania standard firefighting classes. In total, the classes add up to approximately 200 hours spread out over one year. For all information on the Pennsylvania Entry Level Fire Training Curriculum, please click here.
Q: If I volunteer with the Whitehall Fire Company do I have to get basic Firefighting training?
A: All members will complete Pennsylvania Entry Level Fire Training. Members who feel they are not proficient at fighting interior fires can excel at exterior fire ground operations; and further their firefighting career with extra training such as hazmat and technical rescues like water, rope, vehicle, trench rescues.
A: All members will complete Pennsylvania Entry Level Fire Training. Members who feel they are not proficient at fighting interior fires can excel at exterior fire ground operations; and further their firefighting career with extra training such as hazmat and technical rescues like water, rope, vehicle, trench rescues.
Q: How does being a Whitehall volunteer firefighter work?
A: Members of the Whitehall Fire Company are issued a portable radio and pager upon joining the company. If firefighters wish, they also may download a paging app on their cell phone to receive mobile alerts from dispatch. Whenever there is a call, firefighters are dispatched through Allegheny County 911 by activating the company's tones setting off our pagers and sirens. Firefighters will then respond to the station in their personal vehicles, don their turnout gear, and respond to the scene of the incident in the appropriate apparatus.
A: Members of the Whitehall Fire Company are issued a portable radio and pager upon joining the company. If firefighters wish, they also may download a paging app on their cell phone to receive mobile alerts from dispatch. Whenever there is a call, firefighters are dispatched through Allegheny County 911 by activating the company's tones setting off our pagers and sirens. Firefighters will then respond to the station in their personal vehicles, don their turnout gear, and respond to the scene of the incident in the appropriate apparatus.
Q: Do volunteer firefighters have to respond to every call?
A: Firefighters are encouraged to respond to calls if they are available to respond. In most cases, firefighters put down whatever they are doing to respond to the station whenever the pager goes off.
However, firefighters are not available at all times of the day due to work, family, and other commitments. Because of this, we are always recruiting new members to ensure that our firefighter roster has adequate numbers at all times.
A: Firefighters are encouraged to respond to calls if they are available to respond. In most cases, firefighters put down whatever they are doing to respond to the station whenever the pager goes off.
However, firefighters are not available at all times of the day due to work, family, and other commitments. Because of this, we are always recruiting new members to ensure that our firefighter roster has adequate numbers at all times.
Q: Are firefighters required to have a CDL (Commercial Driver's License) to drive fire appuratus?
A: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania exempts volunteer firefighters from requiring a CLD to drive fire apparatus. In lieu of this exemption, Whitehall firefighters go through a EVOT (Emergency Vehicle Operator Training) course to be qualified to drive fire company apparatus. This training is apparatus specific meaning the competency course that every trainee must drive, changes based on the type of apparatus they are testing with.
A: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania exempts volunteer firefighters from requiring a CLD to drive fire apparatus. In lieu of this exemption, Whitehall firefighters go through a EVOT (Emergency Vehicle Operator Training) course to be qualified to drive fire company apparatus. This training is apparatus specific meaning the competency course that every trainee must drive, changes based on the type of apparatus they are testing with.
Q: Is it required to have EMT (Emergency medical technician) training to be a Whitehall volunteer firefighter?
A: The Whitehall Fire Company does not require firefighters to have EMT training. Even though the Whitehall Fire Company does not respond to EMS calls, we do respond to other rescue calls with EMS that do not require EMT training, such as motor vehicle accidents, trench and rope rescues, search of missing persons, and the occasional lift assists. For more information on Whitehall Borough's EMS service provider, click here.
A: The Whitehall Fire Company does not require firefighters to have EMT training. Even though the Whitehall Fire Company does not respond to EMS calls, we do respond to other rescue calls with EMS that do not require EMT training, such as motor vehicle accidents, trench and rope rescues, search of missing persons, and the occasional lift assists. For more information on Whitehall Borough's EMS service provider, click here.
Q: Why are Whitehall Fire Company vehicles white?
A: Whitehall Fire Company vehicles have been white since we purchased our first new Mack in 1948. In short, our vehicles are white because of the "white" in Whitehall.
A: Whitehall Fire Company vehicles have been white since we purchased our first new Mack in 1948. In short, our vehicles are white because of the "white" in Whitehall.
Q: Is there a firefighter at either station 24/7?
A: There are no assigned shifts to staff the stations. However, either station may be staffed daylight 8a-4p and during severe weather by available firefighters.
A: There are no assigned shifts to staff the stations. However, either station may be staffed daylight 8a-4p and during severe weather by available firefighters.
Q: Can I call the station directly if I have an emergency or need the fire company?
A: Anyone needing assistance from the fire company should call 911. If you have a question for us, you can reach out to us by messaging us on Facebook or here on our website. Both links located at the bottom of the page.
A: Anyone needing assistance from the fire company should call 911. If you have a question for us, you can reach out to us by messaging us on Facebook or here on our website. Both links located at the bottom of the page.
Q: Am I able to listen to fire company calls and is it legal?
A: Yes, listening to our calls is possible and completely legal. If you have a scanner capable of listening to ultra high frequency (UHF) our typical operations channel is South Fire Ops 5, 472.312 MHz. South Fire Ops 5 is also the operations channel for Baldwin Borough companies, Brentwood Borough, and Mt. Oliver Borough. All but two South Hills Companies are dispatched on South Fire Dispatch, 460.600 MHz.
A: Yes, listening to our calls is possible and completely legal. If you have a scanner capable of listening to ultra high frequency (UHF) our typical operations channel is South Fire Ops 5, 472.312 MHz. South Fire Ops 5 is also the operations channel for Baldwin Borough companies, Brentwood Borough, and Mt. Oliver Borough. All but two South Hills Companies are dispatched on South Fire Dispatch, 460.600 MHz.