New Hanover Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services

04/13/2026

04/12/2026

10:24am Squad, Engine, Special Service 37, our fire police, and fire police from Ringing Hill Fire Company responded to a 3 vehicle accident with injuries at Swamp Pike and Fagleysville Road. Units operated on scene for 34 minutes.

04/11/2026

Thanks to all that came out to the New Hanover Township Parks and Recreation touch a truck!

04/10/2026

We hope to see you tomorrow!

04/08/2026

On Saturday, Fire Chief Jeffory L. Buck and Assistant Fire Chief Robert R. Shick, Jr., both longtime members of the Walnuttown Fire Company, were assisting in the search for a missing woman in Richmond Township, Pennsylvania. While operating a utility task vehicle (UTV) on the northbound shoulder of Route 222, a vehicle heading southbound swerved into their lane and struck the UTV head-on.

Witnesses reported that the vehicle had been weaving in and out of traffic and driving recklessly in the moments leading up to the crash. Both firefighters were transported to local hospitals but, despite lifesaving efforts, succumbed to their injuries.

The two occupants of the striking vehicle attempted to flee the scene on foot but were quickly apprehended. The unlicensed driver told investigators he had fallen asleep at the wheel and had used ma*****na earlier in the day. He has since been charged with homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence and several other offenses.

60-year old Chief Jeffory Buck dedicated his life to serving others and was a member of the Walnuttown Fire Company for 43 years. Over the course of his four decades of service, he held the role of Deputy Chief for 20 years and served as Fire Chief since 2017. In his free time, Jeff enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, and chopping wood. He is survived by his loving wife, a twin brother, two children and two grandchildren.

56-year old Assistant Chief Robert Shick, Jr. had been a member of the Walnuttown Fire Company since his early teens. He served as the assistant chief for multiple years, most recently since 2024. In his free time, Rob enjoyed camping, four-wheeling, and off-roading. He is survived by his loving wife, two children, and eight grandchildren.

A joint funeral service for the two fallen firefighters will be held this weekend.

04/07/2026

Members of New Hanover Fire Rescue doing a standby shift at Walnuttown Fire and Rescue while their Members prepare to say goodbye to 2 fallen Members

04/05/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Fire Chief Jeff Buck and Assistant Fire Chief Robert Shick, as well as the members of Walnuttown Fire and Rescue in Berks County, PA, after Chiefs Buck & Shick were killed in the line of duty on April 4th.

04/04/2026

Spring has sprung at New Hanover Fire-Rescue! Last night at our weekly Bingo, our patrons were gifted these beautiful Easter flowers! We hope you all enjoy this holiday weekend, and thank you for your continued support!

03/27/2026

Squad and Tanker 37 assisted station 87 Upper Frederick Fire Company on a field/woods fire this afternoon.

03/22/2026

Last evening at 9:12 hours Stations 37 and 51 Limerick Fire Department were dispatched to a vehicle rescue on the 2600 block of Swamp Pike. The rescue was complete 13 minutes after the arrival of Squad 37. !

03/18/2026

3/18/1951 Sparky® the Fire Dog was born, Happy Birthday Sparky! “The legend of Sparky the Fire Dog began with a small Dalmatian puppy sitting outside a fence surrounding a school. The Dalmatian pup loved to watch the children at play. One day he decided to follow two of the children home. Tired from the walk, he decided to nap under a tree outside the house. He was awakened to see the children’s house on fire. The puppy ran to the nearby fire station to alert the firefighters. Under the pup’s direction, the firefighters rushed to the house and extinguished the flames. After putting out the fire, the firefighters noticed the pup shivering under a tree and gathered him up in their arms. They introduced him to the children’s family as the hero who saved them. The firefighters named the Dalmatian, Sparky the Fire Dog, and kept the brave pup at his new home at the fire station from that time.”