Keystone Wildfire Crew is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit forest fire crew providing fire suppression, prevention and conservation in a rural and urban interface environment. We are based in Southern Lancaster County but provide cooperative mutual aid fire suppression to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Fire Companies and the Forest Districts through-out Pennsylvania.
Keystone Wildfire Crew originated from The Lancaster Forest Fire Crew, incorporated as a local, volunteer forest fire company. The Lancaster Forest Fire Crew was organized for home-front service in February 1942, during the Second World War.
This group sponsored the creation of a forest fire crew from volunteers enlisted from volunteer fire companies for the purpose of relief and reinforcement for major forest fires in the Commonwealth. A Forest Fire Warden was appointed and the Crew began to operate under the Wardens’ Commission on September 3, 1951.
In 1984, members of Lancaster Forest Fire Crew, that were from the Lancaster County area, decided to have a crew of their own. With the support of the Lancaster Forest Fire Crew Warden they formed a satellite crew and in 1987 they took the name of Keystone Wildfire Crew.
The crew consists of volunteers from Volunteer Fire Companies and men and women that are interested in forest firefighting and fire prevention. All members must follow guidelines and take the necessary required training.
In 1995, Keystone Wildfire Crew became Incorporated and in 2007 we became a Support Crew through DCNR, Bureau of Forestry, District 17.
Knowing we had more to offer, in the Spring of 2014, talks began between our Forest Fire Warden and the Blue Rock Fire Rescue Commissioner to explore the benefits from a mutual partnership. After thorough talks an M.O.U. was drawn up and signed in May 2015.
Key points of the M.O.U. included a shared membership and a worker’s compensation insurance arrangement which allowed Keystone Wildfire Crew to become a true Lancaster County Resource as Station 904. As a County Resource we are able to participate in box alarms, urban interface, rural water supply and assist with Search and Rescue operations. We are also able to provide storm damage mitigation trained sawyers and a working knowledge of ICS uses in growing and complex incidents.
Keystone Wildfire Crew, Inc. maintains ownership of all their apparatus and equipment. We are also still responsible for all fiscal matters in maintaining our operational readiness and obtaining grants. Keystone Wildfire Crew has our own elected officers, monthly meetings and trainings.
Keystone Wildfire Crew is looking forward to the next step….