BRAD REIDER/FOR THE EXPRESS Fire Chief Jason Brooks talks about the Miles Township Fire Company inside the fire station.

BRAD REIDER/FOR THE EXPRESS
Turnout gear at the Miles Township Fire Company is pictured.

REBERSBURG — If you reside in Miles Township in Centre County, you most likely received a membership drive flyer in the mail over the past few weeks.

The Miles Township Fire Company needs additional members to better serve the areas it covers, according to Fire Chief Jason Brooks who oversees the roughly 40-member department. Brooks’s fire company serves the roughly 62 square mile township which encompasses the communities of Rebersburg, Madisonburg, Smullton and Livonia in the eastern portion of the county.

Brooks, who has been with the fire company for about 17 years, indicated that in 2025 alone, his all-volunteer company responded to approximately 281 calls throughout the township and into neighboring jurisdictions. Those calls ranged from relatively minor incidents such as fire alarms and fuel spills to critical incidents such as dwelling fires and serious motor vehicle collisions.

National Issue

(With a Local Twist)

According to a 2023 study published by the National Fire Protection Association, nationwide volunteer firefighter membership numbers dropped from roughly 827,000 in 2008 to 635,000 in 2023. One of the unique aspects of Miles Township is demographics.

Brooks stated that roughly two-thirds of his active firefighters are members of the Amish community and do not drive, alluding to the fact that having qualified drivers is key to proper response times.

Brooks stated that a CDL is not required to join the fire company, and that if new members went on to become drivers, all training would be provided at no cost to the individual member.

Rewarding Endeavor

Brooks, a professor of Forensic Science at Penn State, described the fire service as “unbelievably rewarding,” citing a recent incident in which his firefighters responded to a pediatric medical emergency where life saving first aid was rendered prior to the young patient being transported by EMS to a medevac helicopter which landed at the fire station.

Brooks went on to highlight the relationships formed between the members, saying that it’s a “camaraderie that can’t be beat.”

In addition to the emergency response duties, the Miles Township Fire Company conducts several fundraisers throughout the year, notably their annual parade and carnival as well as a late summer gun raffle.

“It’s work, but it can be a lot of fun,” Brooks said, referring to the fundraising events.

To Learn More

Anyone interested in learning more about the Miles Township Fire Company or are considering becoming a member can visit the fire company’s website, milestownshipfire.com, or visit their Facebook page, Miles Township Fire Company.