Live In

Monroeville Volunteer Fire Co. #5 is located approx. 15 miles east of Pittsburgh. We are a respected and disciplined volunteer fire and combination paid/volunteer EMS Company. We proudly protect a suburban and urban area of approximately 30,000 residents and between 80,000 and 100,000 daily travelers/visitors over a 25 square mile area.

We respond to approximately 1500 FIRE & EMS calls annually as well as handling other details, drills and EMS stand-bys for the local schools, colleges and businesses in the area. Monroeville is comprised of shopping malls & centers, single and multiple family dwellings, hi-rise buildings, and a multitude of other commercial areas. We protect travelers on Interstate 376, PA Turnpike I-76, US Rt. 22, PA Route 286, and PA Route 48 and a rail yard. We operate a modern fleet of 1 rescue engine, a 100’ tiller-ladder truck, 1 tanker, 2 ALS Ambulances, and other support vehicles. We utilize the newest personal protective and firefighting equipment available.

The goal of the live-in program is to provide a fully staffed 100 % volunteer fire station for quick response for service 24 Hours a day, 7 days a week. Primarily, our focus is to recruit personnel with previous Fire Department / EMS experience, although none is required to file an application. Prospective men and women come from all areas of the United States and abroad. Recently one female member hailed from the State of Minnesota, and we have had other members from Canada reside with us. A number of previous live-in members now work for the following agencies: Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS, STAT MedEvac, Monroeville Police, Mt. Lebanon Fire Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Montreal Canada Police, Virginia Beach Fire Department, Chesapeake Fire Department, Fredrick County Virginia Fire Department, and Arlington County Fire Department just to name a few.

15 miles west, as stated, is the City of Pittsburgh, just off Interstate 376. Pittsburgh is the home of several world-renowned colleges, universities, and vocational schools. We can provide you with a list of most of these schools. Most notable is the Center of Emergency Medicine affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh, at which students choose to train in a degree or certificate program to become Paramedics. Community College of Allegheny County (Boyce Campus) is situated within a short walking distance of Station #5. A working relationship exists with the college faculty to place prospective students into our program. It is here that the majority of our Live-In members attend college classes.

Many students major in Fire Science, EMS Certification (NREMT or NREMT-P), or Criminal Justice. We require that the live in maintain a full time registration at a local college or university. We require a minimum stay in of 5 days per week at the fire station. You are permitted 2 days off for attention to personal business. In return for “free living”, students must provide their time for response to “emergency calls” and “house duties” i.e., cleaning the fire station. We require that you obtain the minimum requirements of Pennsylvania Essentials of Firefighting and Pennsylvania EMT prior to being voted off of probation, unless previous PA Certification is already attained. We also strongly encourage other training outside of the minimums. If your training comes from outside of Pennsylvania, we can provide assistance with reciprocity. Your status is not guaranteed and a probationary period still applies. This program is an excellent opportunity for students to reduce the cost of education. If you would like information on proximity to a specific school, we would be glad to help you.

We also allow live-in members to be employed full time and live at the station. The live-in is required to maintain full-time employment, not less than 32 hours per week, no time limit is imposed, and all other applicable rules as a member apply. Both types of membership encourage participation in all fire company activities as regulated by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Fire Company.

Applicants for membership must be at least 18 years of age and have earned a high school diploma or GED. A Pennsylvania mailing address and drivers licenses is also required within State required time-frame. Openings in the program will be filled as per the Membership Committee and Fire Chief. First consideration to new applicants will be given to persons with previous Fire Department and/or EMS experience or certification. Applicants will be required to complete an official application after meeting with the Fire Chief and sign a release for a background investigation to verify requested information. An interview will then be conducted for suitability of membership after completion of the background checks.