Like many of their peers, the members of Mastersonville Volunteer Fire Company are struggling to recruit help. To remedy the problem, the fire company will hold an open house from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 7, at the station, 2121 Meadow View Road, Manheim.

"The goal of this open house is to engage the community," said Lori Shenk, assistant secretary. "It's an open invitation to come say hi and see what we're all about."

When the station moved to its current location, it hosted an open house in 2019, but the June 7 event will be less formal, Lori explained. "It's going to be fun, informative and interactive in a safe way," she stated. "We're going to have hands-on activities under guidance and supervision." There will be three stations set up for the open house. A fire suppression station will show how engines and tankers provide water in rural locations and showcase other firefighting tactics. A rescue station will feature a car to demonstrate vehicle extraction methods, and a third station will share information about the company's Quick Response Service (QRS), which is a medical response unit.

"We intend to make all three stations interactive by encouraging those attending to participate," Lori noted. "Some of those interactive activities might be flowing water and some hands-on work with the rescue tools."

Mastersonville Volunteer Fire Company serves the Manheim area as well as parts of Mount Joy. Volunteers meet at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays for training, said Matt Shenk, committee member, and no experience is necessary to volunteer. "We know people are volunteers, so you can come when you have time," he stated.

There are opportunities for going out into the field and fighting fires, but there are also volunteer opportunities for office work, noted Sara Duttera, secretary. "I'm an administrative volunteer. I help with fundraisers," she explained. "I don't want to run into burning buildings, but this is a way I can help. There is something for everyone here."

Capt. Eric Shields added that volunteering not only gives him a sense of pride, but also provides a way to support his neighbors. "It's a way to give back to the community I live in," he stated. "It's a way to protect and serve."

Matt, who has been a firefighter for 40 years, said the station has become a second home, and he encourages anyone with an interest in giving back to join the station as a volunteer. "We are really a community within a community," he remarked. "We all know each other, and we know each other's families. We go through good calls and bad calls together. We take care of each other, and we've got each other's backs."

For more information on Mastersonville Volunteer Fire Company or the open house, search for "Mastersonville Fire Co" on Facebook.