Results of Training Initiatives

New Recruits Achieve Firefighter I

In the last two years, Bird-In-Hand has had 3 new firefighters complete their Firefighter I certificate, a national standard. This written and skills test is somewhat intense. Welcome Christian Miller, Lester Schrock, and Andrew Esch to the Firefighting squad.

List of new members since May 2021

Leon Fisher Jr.

Eli Smoker

Jacob Beiler

Raymond Petershiem

Marcus Stoltzfus

Alex Traynor

Daniel Fisher

Matthew Stoltzfus

Steven Stoltzfus

Mervin Beiler

Monroe Miller

Steven Beiler

Christopher Esh

Sammy Beiler

Eli King

Dave Stoltzfus

Sarann Lantz

Austin Quenzer

West Chester

Thirty seven people from Hand-in-Hand Fire Company, including eight from other companies traveled to West Chester on March 18, 2023 for a live burn building training. For many in attendance, this was their first training with Hand-in-Hand Fire Company. It was a good turnout of both seasoned members and young recruits. This was beneficial for all involved as experienced members were able to impart knowledge, and newer members soaked up as much as they could learn in one day. It was a tiring day of fun and hard work in the heat. Thanks to all the people who kept the fires going and made this such a successful day!

E&F Ag offers house for training

The home beside E&F Ag in Bird-in-Hand was scheduled for demolition to make space for a new café. The building was offered to local fire companies for training. The demolition provided an excellent real-world training scenario, and overall it was a productive and memorable day. Mutual aid fire companies also attended including included Lafayette, Witmer, Ronks, Gordonville, and Bareville. It was great to work together and continue building relationships.

What happens next?

With all of the new training initiatives, volunteers have been training quicker than ever before. With more opportunities and personal schedules filling up quickly, we’re working to find ways to capture the training content so that if people miss a training session, they can watch videos and “catch up.” The goal is to start capturing the videos before the end of 2023.