Public safety, emergency responders by the numbers in Susquehanna County

1-7-2026

By Carole Canfield, Nicolas Justine
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY — Covering nearly 832 square miles of rolling hills, farmland and wooded terrain, Susquehanna County is one of Pennsylvania’s more rural regions, made up of 13 boroughs and 27 townships spread across a wide geographic area. While its communities are small and closely connected, the need for reliable emergency services is constant and often complicated by distance, weather and limited resources.
At the core of public safety in Susquehanna County are the fire companies, ambulance services, police departments, sheriff’s office and fire police who respond daily to emergencies ranging from house fires and medical calls to motor vehicle accidents and severe weather events. Together, these agencies form a coordinated system that protects lives and property across the county.
Susquehanna County is served by 18 fire companies, the majority of which are staffed almost entirely by volunteer firefighters. These companies provide essential fire suppression, rescue, and emergency response services to residents across the county’s boroughs and townships.
From the United Fire Company in Montrose to departments serving Forest City, Great Bend, Hallstead and more, firefighters respond to emergencies at all hours, often leaving work, family obligations, or personal commitments when alarms sound. In addition to responding to calls, volunteers commit significant time to training, equipment maintenance, fundraising, and public education.
Paid firefighter positions are almost nil within the county’s fire service, making volunteerism not just important, but critical. Without these volunteers, response coverage across the county’s large rural area would be severely limited or non-existent.
Fire police also play a key role during emergencies, assisting with traffic control, scene safety, and coordination with other responding agencies. Their presence allows firefighters and EMS personnel to focus on emergency operations while ensuring the safety of responders and the public.
Ambulance services in Susquehanna County provide life-saving medical care under challenging conditions. Responders often travel long distances on rural roads to reach patients and transport them to one of three County hospitals or hospitals outside the county sometimes into New York state.
Ambulance organizations such as the Montrose Minutemen Ambulance, Great Bend-Hallstead Ambulance, Silver Lake Ambulance, and Harford Ambulance serve as the front line of emergency medical care. EMTs and paramedics assess patients, provide immediate treatment, and ensure safe transport during medical emergencies, accidents, and other critical incidents.
Like fire companies, most ambulance services rely heavily on volunteer personnel, supported by only a limited number of paid staff. Recruiting and retaining certified EMTs remains an ongoing challenge, as training requirements are extensive and call volumes continue to increase.
Despite these challenges, ambulance crews continue to respond with professionalism and dedication, often coordinating closely with fire companies and law enforcement to ensure efficient and effective care.
Public safety in Susquehanna County is further supported by five local police departments, each staffed by paid officers who serve small populations across large geographic areas. These departments handle routine patrols, emergency calls, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and community outreach.
The Susquehanna County Sheriff’s Office also plays a key role in public safety, providing law enforcement support, serving warrants, court security, and sometimes assisting local police departments during emergencies.
In addition to local departments and the Sheriff’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police at the Gibson barracks provide coverage throughout much of Susquehanna County. State police often serve as the primary law enforcement presence in areas without local police departments and assist with major incidents, investigations, and emergency response countywide.
Although professionally staffed, law enforcement agencies face many of the same challenges as fire and EMS services, including limited staffing, long coverage areas and increasing demands for service.
Across all emergency services in Susquehanna County, understaffing remains a persistent concern. Volunteer fire and ambulance services, in particular, struggle to attract new members as work schedules, training requirements, and personal responsibilities limit availability.
Despite these challenges, agencies work together through mutual aid agreements and coordinated response plans. Fire companies, ambulance services, fire police, and law enforcement routinely support one another during emergencies, ensuring that resources are shared and responses remain effective.
This cooperation is especially critical during large-scale incidents, severe weather events, or periods of high call volume, when multiple agencies must operate seamlessly to protect the public.
Emergency responders in Susquehanna County serve their communities in ways that extend beyond emergency calls. Fire companies and EMS organizations frequently host fundraisers, community events, and educational programs to support operations and promote public safety awareness.
Many responders are lifelong residents who have chosen to serve their hometowns, continuing a tradition of volunteerism that has defined the county for generations. Their commitment reflects a deep sense of responsibility to neighbors and community.
As Susquehanna County continues to evolve, sustaining strong emergency services will require continued community involvement and support. Volunteering, supporting fundraising efforts, and recognizing the contributions of emergency responders all play a role in maintaining public safety.
In a rural county where help may be miles away and minutes matter, the importance of well-trained, dedicated emergency responders cannot be overstated. Through commitment, cooperation, and service, Susquehanna County’s fire companies, ambulance services, police departments, and sheriff’s office remain the foundation of safety for the communities they protect.