Community Corner
Igniting A Family Tradition of Public Service at WMTFD
Gwen Givens joined the WMTFD after her son, Zachary, decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a volunteer firefighter.
When Gwen Givens’ son, Zachary, decided to join his father, Chuck, as a volunteer firefighter at the West Manchester Township Fire Department, she decided to make it a family tradition and follow along, but in a different capacity.
Givens has been a social member volunteer since 2017 and is one of the department’s two photographers. As a photographer, she shows up at the scene of emergencies and takes photos of the volunteers in action.
Givens’ son is now a career firefighter at the Federal Fire Department in Maryland, but she and her husband still volunteer with West Manchester.
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“Everyone there kind of feels like a family already. We all have each other's back and are very close,” said Givens. “It is definitely great to have my spouse there because he can teach me things that I would not normally know because I am not a firefighter.”
Givens is also the mother to 19-year-old Patrick. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family, gardening, and spending time with her dog, Luna.
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Her favorite part about being involved with the fire department is giving back to and connecting with the community.
“There's a lot of stuff that West Manchester does within their fire department that goes beyond responding to calls and putting out fires,” Givens added. “In the fall, we go to different elementary and nursery schools to teach them about fire prevention. It’s a chance to educate the younger kids about firefighting.”
Givens encourages others in the community to join the West Manchester Township Fire Department in whatever capacity their interests and skills drive them towards.
“It’s truly a great bunch of people. Everyone supports one another and welcomes new volunteers with open arms,” said Givens.
If you’re looking to make a difference, learn new skills and find your second family, West Manchester Fire Department is the place for you. No experience is required to join, and training and gear are provided for free. Learn more at www.WestManchesterFirefighter.org.
