Fire Departments

The Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Fire is responsible for providing fire protection, rescue, and life safety services to all citizens in Lower Paxton Township.  

Under the direction of the Township’s Deputy Fire Chief, three volunteer fire companies provide our community with a full range of firefighting and rescue services. The Colonial Park, Paxtonia, and Linglestown Fire Companies each are designated a specific response area within the township. However, they collectively respond to emergencies throughout the Township and on a mutual aid basis to surrounding municipalities. 

Volunteer firefighter applications

Please click on the below links to download an application to become a volunteer firefighter with one of Lower Paxton's companies:

• Colonial Park application
• Linglestown application
• Paxtonia application

Looking to the Future of Township Emergency Services

Extensive Demand for Volunteers and Dwindling Citizens to Answer the Call

In the 1970’s, Pennsylvania had 300,000 volunteer firefighters. Today, that number stands at fewer than 30,000. The dedicated and hardworking volunteers with the Colonial Park, Paxtonia, and Linglestown fire companies have provided fire protection and emergency response in Lower Paxton Township for nearly 85 years. Each year the number of emergencies they respond to increases, as does the educational requirements set forth by the Commonwealth and the National Fire Protection Administration (NFPA).   

The substantial decline in the number of citizens willing to volunteer to provide these services throughout the Commonwealth has been experienced in Lower Paxton as well.  More than ever, rising operational, capital, and administrative costs caused by increased training requirements and requests for services require municipalities to supplement the volunteer model to ensure the health and safety of our community.  

To maintain safety at the lowest possible cost possible to taxpayers, the Township hired a third-party agency to complete a comprehensive reassessment of the current volunteer fire service, this was completed in early 2023. Also in January 2023, the Township hired its first career Deputy Fire Chief to oversee the implementation of the Studies recommendations and development of a long-range plan for emergency services. 

Additionally, the Deputy Fire Chief is responsible for the management of daily operations and administration of fire services within the Township. This is accomplished by working collaboratively with the Director of Public Safety, the Township Manager, and the Volunteer Fire Companies to assure a high-level of fire protection, rescue, and life safety services to our community. 

Township Volunteer Fire Companies

Colonial Park Fire Company

The Colonial Park Fire Company was organized in 1944 and operates from a fire station located at 433 South Houcks Road. The Company's primary service area is the Township's southwest portion.  

Linglestown Fire Company

The Linglestown Fire Company was organized in 1934 and operates from a fire station located at 5901 Linglestown Road. This Company's primary service area encompasses the northern portion of the Township.  

Paxtonia Fire Company

The Paxtonia Fire Company was organized in 1937 and operates from a fire house located at 125 South Johnson Street. This Company's primary service area is the southeast portion of the Township.  

Lower Paxton Township Fire Marshal

The Lower Paxton Township Fire Marshal is responsible for fire scene investigations. This individual determines the origin and cause of a fire. The Fire Marshal is also responsible for the compilation of data involving fire and emergency response services provided by the three fire companies.