The Paxtonia Fire Company offers a live-in program for college-aged students. No previous training or experience is required! (though encouraged) This program is for anyone wishing to join the fire service or expand their knowledge and experience in the fire service. Why not save money on housing while in college, and volunteer at one of Harrisburg's elite fire departments? Everything you need to achieve greatness will be provided for you.
The Paxtonia Fire Department is centrally located in Lower Paxton Township, Harrisburg PA, only 6 miles from Harrisburg City and part of the Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Fire. Lower Paxton Township is currently the 16th largest municipality in Pennsylvania (larger per population then the City of Harrisburg) and rated as one of the fastest-growing in size. We serve the residents of our township along with primary mutual aid to Harrisburg City, Swatara Township, West Hanover Township, and Susquehanna Township. Our “first due” consists of a variety of different structures including business commercial buildings, "strip malls", industrial parks, garden-style apartments, and various different types of single family and multi-family residential structures. We operate a 2017 Seagrave Tractor Drawn Arial - Tiller (Ladder 34) and a 2019 Seagrave Rescue Engine (Engine 34-1). There are also various supplemental vehicles owned by our organization including utility trucks, chief’s vehicles, and manpower vehicles.
Paxtonia Fire responds to an average of 800-1,100 calls per year, while the overall LP Bureau of Fire responds to an average of 2,000 calls per year. The amount of residencies and commercial buildings is increasing in our first due, so each year we expect our call volume to increase as well. Training is expected and encouraged at Paxtonia. Company training is held three times a month, while the live-ins train nearly every day. We house our own training grounds that include a roof simulator, vehicle extrication/fire pad, and area for open fire training. We partner closely with the Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) and various other public safety training centers in the region to achieve all required certification-based training. All outside training is paid for by the company.
We have the facilities to house 13 live-ins, including 4 private rooms, 1 two-person bunk room, & a large communal 7-person bunk room. The live-ins are given access to everything inside the fire station. In return, the department asks the live-ins to perform various station duties such as cleaning, attending meetings/training, equipment maintenance, and performing rig and air pack inspections on a weekly basis. Live-ins are expected to respond to all emergency calls while on the property. Several of our past live-ins are currently or have been employed as Firefighters, EMTs and/or Paramedics by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, Baltimore City Fire, Harrisburg City Fire, UPMC, Pennsylvania National Guard and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. If your goal is to obtain a career firefighter position, Paxtonia has a strong reputation for breeding the best firemen.
For more information please feel free to call the firehouse at (717) 657-0768.
OR email: [email protected]
As a live-in you will be given the following:
- High-speed Internet access (Wi-Fi & Wired)
- TV (Comcast)
- Gaming Consoles
- Full Kitchen and Dining Facilities
- Your own study space
- Desk, Bed, and Drawer
- Access to the latest firefighting equipment, technology, & study material.
- Opportunity to gain the skills of an Engine, Rescue, and Ladder Company
- Onsite climate-controlled gym with equipment & weights.
- Township staffing stipend program (up to $15,000/yr possible)!
Colleges within a half-hour of Paxtonia:
- Widener University Commonwealth Law School - 10 mins.
- Harrisburg Area Community College - 11 mins.
- Temple University Harrisburg - 15 mins.
- Central Penn College- 15 mins.
- Harrisburg University of Science and Technology- 16 mins.
- Penn State Harrisburg- 19 mins.
- Lebanon Valley College- 25 mins.
- Messiah College- 26 mins.
- Elizabethtown College- 29 mins.
- Dickinson College- 30 mins.
Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age or be a high school graduate.
- Must maintain certain grade level if applicable, (determined by District Chief).
- Will be subject to a background check and interview.
- Must help with all company events and activities when possible.
- Must help maintain the overall condition of the fire station and equipment.
Live-In Interest Form
Current Live-in's:
- Lieutenant Larry Stepansky
- Truckman Braden Benedict
- Squadman Justin Hertzog
- Squadman Brayden Matukewicz
- Engineman Layne Seasholtz
- Engineman Isak Patti
- Probationary Firefighter Brawley Ulrey
- Probationary Firefighter Chase Williams
