Credit: Com Solutions Group
Lee Greenberg, the Chief at Horsham Fire Company, volunteers with his 21-year-old daughter, Anna, and 18-year-old son, Josh. Following in their father’s footsteps, the two joined the fire company when they turned 16 as junior firefighters.
“Growing up at the firehouse is my favorite thing about my childhood,” said Anna. “My dad taught me everything I know.”
Josh shares the same sentiment when it comes to volunteering with his father.
“He’s a great leader and I know he’s always there if we need him,” said Josh.
Josh also volunteers close to his local college and is enrolled in the fire company’s live-in program. In exchange for responding to emergency calls, he has free housing at the fire house.
“I never would’ve known about the live-in program if I didn’t volunteer where I grew up in Montgomery County,” said Josh. “Responding to emergencies gives something meaningful to do on the weekends and I know my stuff is safe while I’m there.”
Anna is a day care teacher and finds it easy to balance her career with volunteering.
“I always knew I wanted to help people, and firefighting felt like the perfect way to do that,” said Anna.
One training stood out to her early on.
“RIT training, which is learning how to rescue a firefighter, really stuck with me,” said Anna. “It’s the kind of situation you hope never happens, but we need to be ready for it.”
When the emergency call comes in, no matter what, everyone has each other’s backs. The fire company has become a close-knit community for her and her family.
“I’ve been on a ton of calls with my daughter,” said Lee. “Although she’s very petite, I love seeing her doing things that people twice her size can’t do.”
For many volunteers, it’s more than responding to emergency calls, it’s the sense of pride and community that keeps them coming back.
“It’s the best feeling ever getting off that truck after a call,” said Josh. “And you met people you’d never have met before.”
