Pennsylvania Declares April 12 as Volunteer Firefighter Day to Honor Local Heroes

April 12, 2025, will be recognized as Volunteer Firefighter Day in Pennsylvania, honoring the thousands of men and women who give their time and energy to help protect their communities without pay.

The day was created through a resolution introduced by Representative Kerry Benninghoff. It passed unanimously in a recent committee vote, showing strong support from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

Pennsylvania has a long history of volunteer firefighting. In 1736, Benjamin Franklin started the country’s first volunteer fire company in Philadelphia. In 1820, Marina Betts became Pittsburgh’s first known female volunteer firefighter and served for nearly 20 years, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Today, Pennsylvania has between 36,000 and 38,000 volunteer firefighters. That number has dropped sharply from about 300,000 in 1975. Leaders say they hope this day of recognition will help raise awareness and encourage more people—especially in small towns and rural areas—to consider volunteering.

Volunteer firefighters often leave home at a moment’s notice to respond to house fires, car accidents, and other emergencies. They’ve seen both tragedy and relief while helping others.

In an exclusive statement to Think American News, Representative Benninghoff shared, “Pennsylvania is very blessed by the many men and women volunteer firefighters, who endlessly leave their homes in all weather, and often the dark of night to protect, save and rescue our loved ones as well as our homes! I am honored by their service and friendship.”

April 12 will now be a day to thank them for all they do—and to remind the public just how important their service is to communities across the state.