More Than Firefighting: A Year of Rediscovering Purpose in Public Service

It was the middle of the day, and I happened to be at the fire station when the call came in—a fire alarm. Nothing in the initial report suggested it was anything major. These alarms are common, often triggered by burnt toast or a faulty detector. Still, we geared up and rolled out like we always do—ready, but expecting a routine response.

When we arrived, there were no obvious signs of fire. No smoke, no visible damage. But as I approached the front door to knock, I caught a whiff of something unmistakable: smoke. Subtle but real. That’s when the training kicks in, and so does the urgency.

The incident turned out to be more than a false alarm. It was a fire—and it reminded me that in this work, there’s no such thing as “routine.” Every call matters. Every response has to be sharp. Every moment is a reminder of what it means to be there for your community—not just in theory, but in practice.

When I joined the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department just over a year ago as a volunteer firefighter, I wasn’t looking for recognition. I was looking for connection. I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself, and I wanted to give back in a meaningful way. What I found was a group of highly trained, deeply committed individuals—career and volunteer alike—who reflect the very best of public service.

Mt. Lebanon’s fire department is a combination department—one of the most respected and professionally accredited in the country. But more than its credentials, what stands out is the culture: a deep sense of duty, humility, and teamwork. We train together. We respond together. We take care of each other. And we do it because we care about this place and the people in it.

That spirit of service led me to take the next step: training to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The medical calls we respond to—heart attacks, accidents, overdoses, elderly falls—are often more frequent than fires. They’re also deeply personal. In those moments, you’re not just helping someone. You’re helping someone’s mother, child, neighbor, or friend. You learn to see the quiet heroism in simply being there, steady and ready, when someone needs help the most.

Training as an EMT has made me a better firefighter—and a more grounded member of the community. It’s another layer of trust, another opportunity to serve, another way to be present.

And yet, this kind of commitment is becoming more rare. Across Pennsylvania and the country, volunteerism is on the decline—especially in fire departments. Forty years ago, Pennsylvania had over 300,000 volunteer firefighters. Today, it’s closer to 30,000. That’s not just a staffing issue—it’s a signal that something deeper is shifting in how we relate to our communities.

The decline of volunteerism doesn’t just impact emergency response times. It affects the spirit of a town. It erodes the connective tissue that makes a place feel like home. When fewer people raise their hands to help—whether it’s fighting fires, running EMS calls, coaching little league, or organizing a neighborhood cleanup—we begin to lose the shared ownership that defines community life.

It’s easy to blame time, or modern schedules, or burnout. And yes, those are real. But we also have to ask ourselves a deeper question: what kind of culture are we building if service becomes exceptional rather than expected?

Emergency response has reaffirmed the way I see community. It’s not just about lights and sirens—it’s about presence. It’s about knowing your neighbors, sharing responsibilities, and building trust. It’s about finding joy in connection—in trading stories over coffee at the station, or watching a new volunteer learn CPR, or just feeling the quiet pride that comes from doing your part.

Not everyone needs to be a firefighter or an EMT. But everyone can do something. Civic engagement doesn’t require a uniform or a title—it just requires a willingness to participate. You can coach a kids’ sports team, serve on a community group, volunteer at a food pantry, or simply attend a public meeting. You can help organize a block party or a book drive. You can build a bench, paint a mural, plant a tree. Every action, no matter how small, is part of the larger work of keeping a community strong and vibrant.

We talk a lot about what’s broken in the world, and not enough about what’s working. What’s working, in my experience, is people showing up for each other. Not for credit. Not for politics. Just because they care.

That’s what volunteering with the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department has reminded me. It’s not just about responding to emergencies. It’s about choosing to be part of the solution. It’s about believing that we all have a role to play. It’s about knowing your neighbors and building a life together—shared, supported, and lived with purpose.

So yes—this is a story about firefighting and EMS. But more than that, it’s a call to reconnect. To rediscover the joy of showing up. To build a culture where civic life isn’t just a nice idea, but a daily practice. Where we see each other not as strangers, but as neighbors. Partners. Fellow builders of something worth sharing.

The next time you see a community event, a call for volunteers, or a neighbor who needs a hand—consider saying yes. Not because it’s your obligation, but because it might become one of the most rewarding parts of your life.

When the next fire alarm or EMS call happens, I’ll be there—ready to do my part. But I hope that, in your own way, you’ll be there too. Because building a strong community isn’t about any one person. It’s about all of us, together.

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About Andrew Flynn

Andrew is a Mt. Lebanon commissioner, public finance and policy expert, volunteer firefighter, and community advocate committed to building safer, more resilient, and better-connected neighborhoods. Through public service and hands-on experience, Andrew works every day to make a positive impact in our community.

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