Answering the Call to Service

by Kevin C. Wells

[Originally published in the Winter 2026 issue of Mount Gretna Magazine. View the full issue to see this story in its designed layout, complete with additional images.]

Photo courtesy of the Mount Gretna Community Volunteer Fire Company.

On a cold winter night, when the wind whistles through the trees and the scent of wood smoke permeates the air above cottages, a siren sounds. In Mount Gretna, that familiar wail does more than announce an emergency. It echoes a century-old promise of neighbors protecting neighbors.

Roots in resilience

Gretna’s story is interwoven with fire. The wooden cottages and narrow lanes that give the town its charm also makes the community vulnerable to disaster. Fires in 1899, 1922, and 1949 destroyed homes and reminded residents of the fragility of their wooden haven. Each generation rebuilt and renewed its commitment to safeguarding Gretna’s heart.

From those lessons, the Mount Gretna Community Volunteer Fire Company grew. What began as bucket brigades evolved into a modern company whose firehouse on Boulevard Avenue stands as a symbol of resilience and unity.

A modern department with deep roots

Today, Fire Chief Travis Haak leads a dedicated team of about 35 volunteers — firefighters, EMTs, and fire police — who are committed to far more than the sound of the alarm.

“When that siren goes off, it means someone’s in need,” Travis says. “We’re small, but our reach is big. We respond not only in Gretna, but also to Cornwall, Quentin, and into Lancaster County.”

Under his leadership, the department has modernized nearly all of its equipment. In 2023, the company purchased a new rescue engine, paying for it in full without any debt. “We paid cash,” he says. “We didn’t ask the township for a bond. Gretna might be the only department around that’s done that.”

The $793,000 engine represents more than fundraising; it reflects unity. “We did it together,” Travis says. “It’s about the team and the community that supports us.”

Changes in emergency response

The Mount Gretna Community Volunteer Fire Company functions as an all-hazard department, a designation commonly defined in Firehouse Magazine as one capable of responding to nearly any type of emergency — fires, vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, and severe weather incidents.

In a town of century-old cottages, dense trees, and winding roads, this readiness matters. “We’re not just firefighters,” says Joe Shay, who serves as the company’s president and safety officer. “We’re a Quick Response Service, which means we handle medical calls too. In a community with older residents and narrow roads, we’re often first on scene.”

Travis agrees. “It’s not always dramatic fires. Sometimes it’s checking on a neighbor or making sure a furnace exhaust isn’t blocked by snow. Every call matters.”

As winter approaches, Joe emphasizes prevention. “Have your chimneys cleaned. Don’t overload fireplaces. Keep walkways clear of ice, and if you see downed wires, call us.”

Neighbors helping neighbors

In a town of approximately 200 year-round residents, volunteerism keeps the fire company alive. Travis and Joe stress that there’s a role for everyone.

“You don’t have to run into a burning building,” Travis says. “We need people to serve food at events, organize fundraisers, or wash trucks on Monday nights. Join as a general member. Be part of the team.”

For Joe, who joined more than 30 years ago after the fire company once saved his life during a medical emergency, service is personal. His family’s firefighting roots stretch back a century to Lebanon’s Rescue Hose Company. “It’s the love of my community,” he says. “I wanted to give back.”

Even after 25 years serving as Mount Gretna’s mayor, Joe continues to serve. “I haven’t done any of this for recognition,” he says. “I did it because it needed to be done, and I enjoyed it.”

Photo by Shannon Fretz Photography. Firefighters serve food at a July 2025 community picnic they host each year.

A fire company and a family

The bonds formed in a volunteer fire company run deep. Members train together weekly, respond to unpredictable emergencies at all hours, and share the quiet, unspoken trust that only comes from facing uncertainty together.

“We’re one big family,” Travis says. “The youngest member is 14; the oldest is around 77. Everybody looks out for each other.”

That closeness, he adds, also extends to emotional well-being. According to the Journal of Psychiatric Research (2025), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects an estimated 5.6% of trauma-exposed populations worldwide. First responders, such as firefighters, carry a particularly high risk of exposure to traumatic events and are at increased risk of PTSD, with a reported prevalence of 12.3% to 32.5%.

“Everyone in the fire service carries a little PTSD,” Travis says. “We talk; we help each other through. This isn’t your full-time job; you choose to volunteer because you care.”

Training is ongoing, covering everything from hazardous materials to CPR, and teamwork is essential. “When you’re on a call,” Travis says, “you rely on each other’s strengths. Those who’ve been here longer teach the new ones the ropes.”

That culture of mentorship has been vital in sustaining membership and morale at a time when volunteer fire service numbers continue to decline across the state. According to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, more than 90% of Pennsylvania’s 2,400 fire companies are volunteer-based, and the Commonwealth is experiencing a significant shortage of volunteer firefighters.

“Manpower is the biggest challenge in any department,” Travis notes. “But Gretna has something special — people who care.”

Leadership legacy

For decades, Joe’s steady leadership as mayor and fire company president has reflected Gretna’s cooperative spirit. “The sections of Gretna used to feel separate,” he says. “Now it feels like everyone’s part of one community.”

His successor, Mayor-Elect Kerry Royer, has Joe’s complete confidence. “She knows everyone, knows the council, and she’ll do great. It’s a seamless transition.”

Still, his heart remains at the firehouse. “Being part of the Fire Company is one of the proudest achievements of my life,” Joe says. “If something needs to be done, I do it.”

Preparing for tomorrow

Both Travis and Joe are preparing for the future. The company’s next goal is to replace its aging attack vehicle, a small engine that is vital for navigating Gretna’s narrow lanes. “The current attack is over 20 years old,” Joe explains. “We’re looking for one with a four-man cab to make it safer and more efficient.”

Travis is also exploring partnerships with neighboring departments to strengthen training and coverage. “If we collaborate, we’re all stronger,” he says. “The goal is to keep Mount Gretna safe while staying true to who we are.”

Community support through one shared mission

The Mount Gretna Community Volunteer Fire Company remains debt-free and deeply connected to the people it serves. Fundraisers like the annual Pig Roast, pancake breakfasts, and Fire Prevention Night not only fund equipment but also strengthen community bonds.

That partnership between volunteers and residents keeps the company thriving. In an era when many small-town fire departments face uncertain futures, Gretna stands as a model of what can happen when service is shared.

As winter deepens and chimneys glow across Gretna, the volunteers of the Mount Gretna Community Volunteer Fire Company stand ready — quiet guardians of this place we call home.

“Volunteerism is the backbone of our community,” Joe says. “Gretna is built on the people who live here and the people who care.”

Kevin C. Wells is a Mount Gretna resident, writer, and community volunteer. He works in education administration and serves on the Mount Gretna Campmeeting Association Board of Managers. Passionate about service, leadership, and storytelling, Kevin highlights the people and traditions that strengthen the spirit of community life.