The Allegheny Mountain Firefighter Initiative was given a $5.1 million grant in 2013. The money was used to help fire departments in the region recruit and train new volunteers as well as provide benefits to the volunteers. 

4 years and 1,000 applications later, 300 newly trained volunteers are out fighting fires in the community. John Kane helped lead the initiative and says the money was well worth it.  

He explained, “It was a lot of money. So, people have asked me, ‘was it worth the $5.1 million? Well, if you consider that to pay 300 new firefighters would have cost $12 million a year, yeah i believe it was a pretty good deal.”

The Spangler and Hope fire departments saw double digit growth. Combined, they were able to bring in around 40 new volunteers. Companies in Tyrone and Gallitzin are hurting for new recruits. Kane says even though they’ve gained 300 people, most of them are only available in the evening. 

Kane detailed, “We need people who will fight those fires, answer those alarms during the day time because a lot of the people that we brought in have day time jobs. We are still looking and still desperately need those people who can answer those day time alarms.”

Inspired by the initiative and need of volunteers, even Kane decided to join up. He’s decided to become a member of the Huntingdon Regional Volunteer Fire Department. 

He explained, “Honestly, I joined Huntingdon because it houses where my granddaughter lives. If they need help to protect my granddaughter’s house, I’m all in.”

15 of the 30 departments involved were able to meet or exceed their goal of adding at least 10 new members.