As a Built for Life Participating Department, the Wright Township Fire Department is committed to providing the highest level of service to the residents of Wright Township, Rice Township, and any other community we assist.

Our mission is to safeguard life and property from the dangers of fire and other emergencies efficiently and professionally while upholding the utmost standards of safety.

In October 2021, in collaboration with Dorrance Township Fire and Ambulance, our department initiated a partnership to enhance EMS services for our residents and those in need. This partnership has shown promising results, delivering faster care in nearly every instance. When required, we utilize the current ALS system, ensuring that the quality of care remains uncompromised at all times. We appreciate the opportunity to provide essential care to our community during times of need.

In the fall of 2021, our department has staffed our building from 7AM to 5PM daily with proffessionally trained firefighters to assist our community.  This decision was made due to the lack of consistent availability of volunteers during these hours.

In October of 2024, our department has extended the operational hours making us staffed 12 hours a day.  This garuntees fire department response and presence in our community.  Our goal is to be 24 / 7 staffed and we will continue to explore avenues to achieve this goal  

Our department responds to over 400 fire department related emergencies yearly and almost 1000 EMS based incidents per year.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND CHALLENGES:

In recent years, our department and neighboring agencies have increasingly relied on each other to manage emergency incidents due to a shortage of volunteers in the Mountain Top community and surrounding areas. This trend has been ongoing since the mid-'90s and has become particularly concerning since around 2010. The decline in volunteer turnout has reached a critical level, with fewer individuals expected to handle a growing number of emergencies. Despite these challenges, our department and surrounding agencies have witnessed a significant increase in the volume of incidents responded to each year. For instance, in 2010, we averaged around 300 incidents annually, whereas in 2021, we responded to over 400 incidents, which has become the new norm. This upward trend is expected to continue as our community evolves and expands.

Our department covers approximately 14 square miles of Wright Township and 13 square miles of Rice Township. We also receive automatic dispatch calls from many surrounding towns, as they do from us. Mutual aid is essential for all departments to effectively manage incidents.

The decline in the Volunteer Fire Service is a nationwide issue, attributed to various factors such as economic conditions, time constraints, family obligations, employment commitments, and the demanding training requirements. Although our area is fortunate to have dedicated volunteers, all departments face similar challenges. Members are stretched thin with increased responsibilities and limited time to dedicate to the fire department and the community.

We continuously seek new members, and the same is true for fire departments in your local area. Membership does not require firefighting experience, as there are various roles individuals can undertake to support the department and the community. We offer opportunities for personal growth and training once you become a member of our team.

Volunteers are urgently needed, and you can make a difference regardless of your age or residency. The decline in volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania alone, from over 300,000 to less than 50,000, underscores the pressing need for community involvement. Join us in serving your community by visiting us any Monday evening between 5:30 PM and 9:30 PM.  Click on Volunteer Application on the left side of the webiste menu to help speed up the process.

Our department comprises volunteers serving in various capacities, all dedicated to serving our community.