Allegheny County Fire Academy

10/11/2026

10/09/2026

Get your registration in fast, spots are filling up fast.

10/08/2026

🚒 Truck Company Operations II

November 7-8, 2026 | 16 Hours

Join Instructor Matt Szpindor for this advanced course covering aerial and portable ladder operations, forcible entry, roof ventilation and advanced search.

Szpindor is a 39-year veteran of the fire service and a retired FDNY Lieutenant from Squad Co. #1 in Brooklyn. He served 22 years with the FDNY and has experience with career and volunteer departments in multiple states. He has also served with both PA and NY FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces and has been a Pennsylvania State Fire Instructor since 1998.

Prerequisite: EBM, ELIF or FF-I Certification
Materials Fee: $25

09/28/2026

16hr Short Staffed Residential Rescue class on October 26th, 28th, and 31st.
This course deals with the philosophy of fire ground rescue, victim handling techniques, search procedures and methods of removing victims from single family dwelling fires with a short staffed crew (2/3 members). This class supports working through modern challenges of responding to a working fire with entrapment.
Prerequisites: Students must be 18 yrs of age or older, ELIF
Student Equipment: Pen/Pencil, Notebook, Structural PPE and SCBA
Please submit a completed course registration form to ACFA
Course # 12145

https://www.alleghenycounty.us/files/assets/county/v/3/government/emergency-services/documents/fire-academy/aces-course-enrollment-form.pdf

09/25/2026

Stay tuned, additional details coming soon.

09/24/2026

Today, we recognize National Firefighter Su***de Awareness Day.

Firefighters are trained to run toward what others run from. But the weight of the job doesn’t always stay at the station.

Today, we remember the firefighters we have lost to su***de, stand beside those who are struggling, and remind every firefighter that asking for help is a sign of strength.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out:

📞 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support available 24/7.

📱 Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential, 24/7 support.

🧡 Warriors Heart: Private treatment built exclusively for the Warrior Class, including firefighters and other first responders struggling with addiction and co-occurring conditions such as PTSD. Call 855-610-1003 or visit warriorsheart.com.

To our firefighters: You spend your career showing up for others. You deserve people who will show up for you, too.

Your life matters.

***deAwarenessDay ***deAwareness

09/24/2026

All, We regret to pass on that A.F. Dobler Hose & Ladder Company of Girard (PA) Junior Firefighter Bryce Kaufmann, 17, lost his life in the Line of Duty on September 21 from injuries while answering an emergency call on an E-Bike. According to police, he was on the E-Bike and…

09/24/2026

Please ask for help.

Hayward Firefighters L1909 Hayward Firefighters Local 1909 mourns the loss of our Brother, Firefighter Paramedic Travis Foster. Travis served the Hayward community since February 2018 and was a deeply valued member of our department and Local 1909. After struggling with PTSD and the cumulative impac...

09/24/2026

This annual grant program is available for volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services and rescue squads.

09/24/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2026

Funeral Arrangements for Junior Firefighter Bryce Kaufmann

A.F. Dobler Hose & Ladder Company, in coordination with the Kaufmann family, announces the calling hours and funeral arrangements for Junior Firefighter Bryce Kaufmann.

All services will be held at:

Girard Alliance Church
229 Rice Avenue
Girard, PA 16417

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. and will be conducted with full fire department honors.

A.F. Dobler Hose & Ladder Company is requesting assistance from neighboring fire departments and emergency-service organizations able to provide personnel for all or a portion of the honor guard coverage during Tuesday’s calling hours. Assignments will be scheduled in 30-minute shifts. Departments wishing to assist should contact Deputy Fire Chief Rick Meyer at [email protected].

Departments planning to bring fire apparatus or other emergency vehicles for the funeral procession are asked to notify us in advance so adequate staging space can be arranged.

The Kaufmann family and the officers and members of A.F. Dobler Hose & Ladder Company are deeply grateful for the extraordinary outpouring of love and support from our community, friends, neighboring departments, fellow firefighters, and emergency-service organizations. Your kindness during this incredibly difficult time has reminded us that no fire department or family stands alone.

We respectfully ask that the privacy of Bryce’s family continue to be honored as they grieve.

For procession coordination or media inquiries, please contact:
Branden Schultz
Fire Chief
[email protected]