Howard Volunteer Fire Company

What Howard Volunteer Fire Company does

Howard Volunteer Fire Company is a 100% volunteer nonprofit emergency services organization founded in 1899 and headquartered in Howard, Pennsylvania, where it operates as "Company 14" within Centre County's regional response network. It provides fire suppression, emergency medical services (QRS), vehicle extrication, and fire prevention education to residents and businesses across Howard and surrounding Centre County communities from two stations: a main borough station at 341 Walnut Street and a Marion Township substation. Its distinguishing technical capability is swift water and ice rescue, supported by a specialized fleet that includes the newly delivered River Raptor XTR 1860 rescue boat (2026) with FLIR thermal imaging and Garmin Livescope, alongside Zodiac inflatables and flat-bottom aluminum craft.

The organization maintains a modern apparatus fleet anchored by Pierce Velocity engine-rescues (2013), a Pierce PUC tanker (2012), a brush truck, and a 2025 Chevy Suburban QRS unit, and is bound into the regional emergency response ecosystem through mutual aid agreements with at least six neighboring fire companies for training and water rescue operations. Leadership is structured as a nonprofit Executive Board (President Bill Nearhoof, VP Josh Collins, Treasurer Stacy Mann, plus financial/recording secretaries and trustees) and an operational command under Chief 14 Caleb Kelley. Two members (Collin Alterio and Tyler Penland) were recognized for 20 years of service and voted in as Life Members at the 2026 Bi-Annual Banquet, indicating long-tenured volunteer retention.

Howard Volunteer Fire Company is funded through a diversified nonprofit revenue model rather than commercial sales. Income is generated from community donations processed online via Square, raffle sales ($20 per ticket, including a Big Cash Raffle), reflective address sign sales ($25 per sign, $30 per post), facility rentals at the J.K. Yearick Center (Banquet Hall at $400 rental plus $100 cleanup; Small Meeting Room at $60 rental plus $35 cleanup), and the annual Punkin' Chunkin' Fall Festival, which attracts 15,000+ attendees. Capital expenditures are predominantly grant-funded, with recent awards including a $306,790 Pennsylvania Local Share Account grant (2025) for the QRS 14 vehicle, a federal Community Project Funding Grant from Congressman Glenn (GT) Thompson for the rescue boat (2026), a $3,000 Garver Fund communications grant from Bellefonte Elks Lodge #1094 (2025), and participation in a combined $2.2 million federal funding allocation to Centre County emergency response agencies (2025). The organization recorded 430 emergency responses in 2025, up 13% from 380 in 2024.

Name

Howard Volunteer Fire Company

Legal name

Howard Volunteer Fire Company

Website

https://howardfire.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Howard Volunteer Fire Company is a 100% volunteer nonprofit emergency services organization in Howard, Pennsylvania, providing fire suppression, EMS, vehicle rescue, and swift water rescue to Centre County communities since 1899, funded by donations, grants, and community events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Volunteer Fire and Emergency Response Services

NAICS

Fire Protection (922160), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire & Rescue Services (Fire Suppression, Rescue) (BPAIAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Safety Administration (Fire/EMS, Emergency Management) (BPAIACAL), Evacuation, Shelter, Mass Care & Family Reunification (HLAJAGAG)

Keywords

• Volunteer fire services
• Emergency medical response
• Swift water rescue
• Fire prevention education
• Community fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Pennsylvania Furnace

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Community donations from residents and businesses in Howard, PA and surrounding Centre County areas
2. Raffle Sales: Proceeds from raffle tickets including Big Cash Raffle at $20 each, address signs, and other merchandise sold through the Raffle Shop
3. Facility Rentals: Rental income from J.K. Yearick Center Banquet Hall ($400 rental + $100 cleanup + optional $100 day-before decorating + $150 security deposit) and Small Meeting Room ($60 rental + $35 cleanup + $35 security deposit)
4. Grants: Federal, state, and local government grants including Community Project Funding Grant for rescue boat and Garver Fund grants ($3,000 from Bellefonte Elks Lodge)
5. Fundraising Events: Revenue from community events including Punkin' Chunkin' Fall Festival and other fundraising activities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Howard Volunteer Fire Company delivers 24/7 volunteer emergency response services — including fire suppression, emergency medical first response, swift water and ice rescue, vehicle extrication, and fire prevention education — to residents and businesses in Howard, Marion Township, and surrounding Centre County, Pennsylvania communities. Operations are funded and supported through an integrated community fundraising platform comprising an online Raffle Shop, J.K. Yearick Center event venue rentals, reflective address sign sales, the annual Punkin' Chunkin' Fall Festival, and an online donation system.

Product overview

Howard Volunteer Fire Company operates as a 100% volunteer emergency services organization providing fire suppression, EMS, water rescue, vehicle rescue, and fire prevention education to Howard, PA and surrounding communities since 1899. The organization supplements its emergency operations with fundraising activities including an online raffle shop (WooCommerce-based), event venue rentals (J.K. Yearick Center), reflective address sign sales, and the annual Punkin' Chunkin' Fall Festival. The department maintains a modern apparatus fleet including Pierce fire engines, a River Raptor swift water rescue boat, and quick response vehicles, all funded through community donations, grants, and fundraising events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Fire Suppression Services Fire suppression services covering residential, commercial, brush, and vehicle fires, delivered by fully equipped fire engines and trained volunteer firefighters serving Howard, Marion Township, and surrounding Centre County communities.
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) First-response medical care and basic life support delivered by trained EMTs and first responders until EMS arrives, provided via the QRS 14 quick response vehicle stocked with BLS medical supplies, AED, oxygen, and trauma equipment.
• Water Rescue Operations Swift water and ice rescue capabilities using multiple watercraft including the River Raptor XTR 1860, Zodiac inflatable boats, and flat-bottom aluminum boats equipped with FLIR thermal imaging, Garmin Livescope sonar, and Motorola APX8500 communications.
• Vehicle Rescue and Extrication Extrication and stabilization at vehicle crash scenes using hydraulic extrication tools and specialized rescue equipment mounted on Engine Rescue 14-1 and 14-2 (2013 Pierce Velocity) apparatus.
• Fire Prevention and Education Station tours, school visits, safety talks, and community fire safety workshops covering smoke alarms, home fire sprinklers, escape planning, and fire extinguishers, delivered to local residents, schools, and community groups.
• Raffle Shop Online raffle platform selling tickets for prizes including cash, vehicles, equipment, and electronics to raise funds for department operations, powered by WooCommerce with Facebook live drawing events.
• J.K. Yearick Center Event Venue Rental Event venue rental service offering Banquet Hall (64' x 80', capacity 325 guests) and Small Meeting Room (26' x 30', capacity 50 guests) for weddings, banquets, reunions, and corporate events, with optional in-house catering and security deposit terms.
• Reflective Address Signs Reflective green address markers with white numbering for residential homes to help emergency responders locate addresses quickly, available in horizontal or vertical mounting and priced at $25 each with optional $30 wooden post.
• Punkin' Chunkin' Fall Festival Annual fall festival featuring pumpkin-launching catapults, trebuchets, and air cannons, along with food vendors, craft vendors, hayrides, and family activities, held at Bald Eagle State Park with free admission and parking.
• Online Donation System Secure online donation platform powered by Square for one-time and recurring donations to support volunteer operations, equipment, training, and community programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 430 emergency responses handled in 2025, up from 380 in 2024

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Glick Fire Equipment CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquipment vendor that provided the River Raptor XTR 1860 rescue boat to the fire company, enabling enhanced water rescue capabilities for the community
• River Raptor Jet BoatscoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of the River Raptor XTR 1860 rescue boat, providing specialized water rescue vessel technology
• Miles Township Fire CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided standby coverage during banquet events, demonstrating mutual aid support among local fire departments
• Citizens Hook & LadderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual aid partner providing water rescue training support alongside other local fire companies
• Pine Glen Fire CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual aid partner for water rescue training operations
• Walker Township Fire CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual aid partner for water rescue training operations
• Beech Creek-Blanchard Volunteer Fire CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual aid partner for water rescue training operations
• Logan Fire Company No. 1 BellefonteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual aid partner for water rescue training operations

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Miles Township Fire Company: Neighbouring volunteer fire company in Centre County that provides mutual aid standby coverage during Howard's banquet events. Operates an identical volunteer model serving a small rural Pennsylvania community, making it directly comparable in scale, funding structure, and service offerings.
• Pine Glen Fire Company: Mutual aid partner with Howard for water rescue training operations. A volunteer fire company in Centre County with a comparable small-town operating model, comparable grant and donation funding profile, and shared training infrastructure.
• Walker Township Fire Company: Mutual aid partner for water rescue training alongside Howard Volunteer Fire Company. Directly comparable as a small Pennsylvania volunteer fire company sharing training resources, mutual aid agreements, and a similar funding mix of grants, donations, and community fundraising.
• Beech Creek-Blanchard Volunteer Fire Company: Mutual aid partner for water rescue training with Howard. A rural Pennsylvania volunteer fire company with comparable scale, comparable service offerings (fire suppression, EMS, rescue), and the same volunteer-driven operating model.
• Citizens Hook & Ladder: Mutual aid partner providing water rescue training support alongside Howard. As a volunteer fire company in the region, it shares the same operating economics, mutual aid posture, and community fundraising approach.
• Logan Fire Company No. 1 Bellefonte: Mutual aid partner for water rescue training with Howard Volunteer Fire Company. A nearby volunteer fire company in Bellefonte, PA with directly comparable service offerings, scale, and reliance on community donations and grant funding.

Regional players

• Bellefonte Fire Department: Larger municipal fire department located in Bellefonte, PA within Centre County. Serves as the closest urban counterpart in the same geography, providing a useful scale and capability benchmark while operating under a slightly different funding model (more municipal support, less event-based fundraising).

Others

• Glick Fire Equipment Company: Fire apparatus vendor that supplied Howard's River Raptor XTR 1860 rescue boat and other equipment. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct peer — useful context for understanding apparatus procurement economics and supplier relationships in the volunteer fire company segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HowardFireCompany14
• Instagraminstagram.com/howardfire14

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Howard Volunteer Fire Company