Overview
Pennsylvania is the birthplace of the volunteer fire service in North America, and has the largest number of fire departments in the nation.
What We Do
The fire commissioner is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate, and oversees:
- Development and operation of the commonwealth's emergency service training program
- Low-interest loans awareded to volunteer fire and emergency services organizations
- Pennsylvania's fire safety education program
- Comprehensive fire incident reporting system
Here for PA Fire Departments
We're here to provide support to Pennsylvania's 2,400 fire departments and their personnel on such issues as:
- Community safety education
- Firefighter safety
- Intervention for juvenile fire setters
- Volunteer recruitment and retention
Firefighter Education
State Fire Academy
We oversee the operation of the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy in Lewistown, Mifflin County.
This facility provides comprehensive resident and weekend programs for:
- Firefighters
- Rescue personnel
- Arson investigators
- Hazardous materials teams
- Other emergency responders
Educational Partnerships
We partner with the commonwealth’s community colleges and some county governments to provide a pioneering system of local-level emergency service training that is demand-responsive and deliverable at the fire station-level across the state.
A Brief History
In 1976: Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp appoints the state's first fire commissioner.
In 1981: Governor Richard Thornburgh reorganizes the separate Fire Commissioner's Office, State Fire School, and Volunteer Loan Assistance Program. He names the singular entity the Office of Fire Safety Services, and it's organized under the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
In 2020: The Office of the State Fire Commissioner becomes its own agency under direct jurisdiction of the governor with Act 91.
