The Civil Service Commission for Caln Township will be administering an entry level examination for the position of Firefighter.
 
Applications for the position of Firefighter will be available beginning Monday October 5, 2026, at the Caln Township Municipal Building, 253 Municipal Drive, Thorndale, PA 19372. Applications may be picked up between 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, or may be accessed online here:

Every applicant for the position of Firefighter must:

1.   Have a certificate from a state-approved training school attesting that he or she has attended and graduated from courses in both Fire Fighting National Certification I (basic training) and Fire Fighting National Certification II (advanced training);
2. All required training and certifications noted in current Job Description attached; and
3. Have two (2) years of firefighting experience as a senior member in a combination (volunteer & paid) fire department; or
   1. Have five (5) years of firefighting experience as a senior member in a volunteer fire department; and
4. Applicants should have a letter, on fire company letterhead, from the chief of their current fire company stating that the individual is a member of that fire company in good standing who meets the above-stated requirements; or other similar such documentation of the above-stated requirements.
   1. Firefighters shall also possess skills and abilities to:

1. Be able to interact with the public in a variety of situations and circumstances while exercising a level of tact, judgement, initiative, and control appropriate for the situation in hand.
2. Make immediate situational assessments and action judgements in circumstances that are volatile and potentially life-threatening.
3. Work efficiently and effectively in a fire department , sometimes in adverse or stressful conditions. This may include extremely hazardous circumstances, including exposure to ever-changing weather and atmospheric conditions, working in close quarters both indoors and outdoors in potentially life-threatening physical hazards.
4. perform various physical exerting tasks such as heavy lifting, running, climbing, jumping, dragging, and pulling.
5. Carry out complex orders, manage and complete several complex tasks simultaneously.
6. Demonstrate ability to work independently and as part of the team in the combination fire department.
7. Adapt to a rotating work schedule that routinely requires working at night or on holidays.

 
Proof of all pre-requisites meeting the minimum eligibility requirements must be enclosed and/or attached with each application.

The physical agility test will take place on Saturday December 5, 2026, at 9:00 AM sharp at West Chester Fire Department Training Center located at 301 Snyder Ave, West Chester, PA 19382. (Registration is 30 minutes prior). Physical agility testing is Pass/Fail.
 
The written test will take place on Saturday December 5, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Thorndale Fire Company located at 3611 Lincoln Hwy, Thorndale, PA 19372.
WEATHER CANCELLATION MAKE-UP DATE IF REQUIRED WILL BE DETERMINED PRIOR TO TESTING DATE.
 
Those who successfully pass the physical agility test will be permitted to take the written exam following the physical agility testing as noted above. Written testing will be scored on a 100-point scale. An applicant must score 70% or higher to continue in the applications process. Applicants scoring less than 70% will be rejected.
Within 30 days of the administration of the written test applicants, all applicants will be given written notice of their test results; passing applicants will be scheduled for an oral examination appointment.
 
Other mandatory components of the complete testing process included for appointment require selected candidates to successfully undergo Background Investigation, and a NFPA 1582 Compliant Medical Examination.
 
Any applicant arriving after the prescribed start times shall be disqualified.
 
The READING LIST/STUDY MATERIALS for the written examination consist of:
 

• 25 Questions from Firefighter 1(NFPA 1001): "Essentials of Fire Fighting," IFSTA, 7th Edition
• 25 Questions from Firefighter 2(NFPA 1001): "Essentials of Fire Fighting," IFSTA, 7th Edition
• 20 Questions from Hazmat Operations(NFPA 470): "Hazardous Materials for First Responders, IFSTA , 7th Edition.
  • 10 Hazardous Materials Operations Core Questions
  • 5 Hazardous Materials Operations PPE Questions
  • 5 Hazardous Materials Operations Product Control Questions
• 30 Questions from Driver Operator Pumper(NFPA 1002): Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook," IFSTA, 3rd Edition.
  • 10 General Requirements
  • 10 Pumper
  • 10 Mobile Water Supply

 
                                    Candidates will be given 2 ½ hours to complete the examination.
 
Caln Township is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require any special accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to complete the testing, please provide evidence of such recognized disability at the time the application is submitted.
 
Any questions, please contact Director Raymond Stackhouse at 610-384-0600 x157 or by email at [email protected]

Download a PDF version here. 
Access the links mentioned in the newsletter below: 
Caln Community Day
Community Day Art Show
Art in the Park - Portrait Photography Workshop
​Caln Township YouTube Page - Watch Board of Commissioners Meeting Recordings Here!

Download a PDF copy here
Access the links mentioned in the newsletter here: 
Spackman-Davis Farm Picnic Video
Caln Community Day
Art in the Park - Portrait Photography Class
​Community Day Art Show
Mosquito Buckets
Ingleside Youth Golf Camps
​Coatesville Youth Initiative Footgolf Challenge Fundraiser
Squad 38 Press Release
Battery Safety Now

Lindsey Beacher, Caln EAC Member
Have you ever noticed that parking lots, roadways, and shopping areas often feel much hotter than nearby parks or wooded neighborhoods? This is known as the urban heat island effect. Dark pavement, rooftops, and buildings absorb heat from the sun throughout the day and slowly release it back into the air, making developed areas significantly warmer than surrounding landscapes. As summers in Southeastern Pennsylvania become increasingly warmer, reducing these localized temperature increases is becoming an important part of community planning. Increasing tree canopy, preserving green space, and incorporating cooler building materials are among the most effective ways communities can adapt to rising temperatures. 
Fortunately, there are practical steps both municipalities and homeowners can take to make our neighborhoods cooler, healthier, and more comfortable. 
For local governments, reducing heat islands begins with thoughtful planning. Preserving mature trees, planting new street trees, and expanding parks and other green spaces provide shade that cools streets, sidewalks, and buildings while improving air quality and managing stormwater. Municipalities can also encourage new development that preserves existing tree canopy and incorporates native landscaping, green infrastructure, and open space into site design. When roads, sidewalks, parking lots, or municipal facilities are rebuilt, communities can also consider materials that absorb less heat, such as lighter-colored or "cool" pavements, permeable pavement, or reflective roofing materials where appropriate. The City of Philadelphia is currently evaluating cool pavement technologies through a pilot project to better understand how these materials perform under local conditions and whether they can help reduce surface temperatures in urban neighborhoods. 

Homeowners also play an important role in reducing heat around their own properties. Even small changes can make a noticeable difference. 

• Plant native shade trees. Trees are one of the most effective ways to reduce heat around homes and neighborhoods. Native trees are especially valuable because they are well adapted to southeastern Pennsylvania's climate, support birds and pollinators, and generally require less maintenance once established. Planting shade trees near the west and south sides of your home, along driveways, or near patios can lower surface temperatures while helping reduce cooling costs. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has planted thousands of trees across the region because expanding tree canopy provides lasting environmental and community benefits. 
• Use native plants in your landscape. Replacing small sections of pavement or unused lawn with native trees, shrubs, gardens, or rain gardens helps cool the surrounding area through shade and natural evaporation while supporting wildlife and reducing stormwater runoff. 
• Choose lighter-colored roofing and paving materials. If you are replacing a roof, driveway, or patio, consider materials that reflect more sunlight rather than absorbing it. These surfaces remain cooler during hot weather and can help reduce indoor temperatures. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies cool roofs, cool pavements, green roofs, and expanded vegetation as effective ways to reduce urban heat islands. 
• Improve your home's insulation. Good insulation is not just for winter. Proper attic insulation and air sealing help keep cool air inside during the summer while reducing energy use and improving comfort during periods of extreme heat. 
• Create shaded outdoor spaces. Trees, pergolas, awnings, and other shade structures make patios and yards more comfortable while reducing the amount of heat absorbed by nearby buildings. 

Heat islands are a community challenge and provides opportunity for collaborative efforts between community members and local governments. Every native tree planted, every parking lot that includes shade trees, every green space preserved, and every homeowner improvement contributes to a cooler, healthier Caln Township. By working together, residents, businesses, and Township leaders can help reduce the effects of extreme heat while making our community more resilient for future generations. 
Sources 

1. City of Philadelphia. An Update on the Cool Pavement Pilot Project. https://www.phila.gov/2025-10-20-an-update-on-the-cool-pavement-pilot-project/ 
2. Chester County Planning Commission. Urban Heat. https://www.chescoplanning.org/MuniCorner/eTools/79-UrbanHeat.cfm 
3. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Tree Planting Initiatives. https://phsonline.org/for-gardeners/gardeners-blog/phs-tree-planting-initiatives 
4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Reduce Heat Islands. https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/reduce-heat-islands 
5. Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Extreme Heat. https://www.dvrpc.org/energyclimate/extremeheat/ 
6. Liberty Insulation. PA Home Protection: Extreme Temperatures Guide.https://www.libertyinsulationpa.com/news/pa-home-protection-extreme-temperatures-guide/ 
   

Caln Township and the Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company are pleased to announce the addition of Squad 38, a 2025 Pierce Enforcer engine equipped with specialized rescue equipment, strengthening emergency response capabilities for residents, businesses, and visitors throughout the community.

The new apparatus helps fill the gap left by the previous rescue truck, which has been out of service since March. Due to increasing maintenance costs and reliability concerns, the 2003 Rescue 38 was no longer a viable option for the busy emergency response system serving Thorndale. Personnel responded to 719 fire calls 2025, underscoring the continued need for reliable, modern fire and rescue apparatus.

To meet growing call volumes and enhance public safety, Caln Township established professional fire and rescue staffing in 2024 to work alongside the Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company, which has proudly served the community since 1939.
Squad 38 was purchased through the Caln Township Board of Commissioners' ongoing commitment to strengthening emergency services and with the continued support of the community's residents and businesses. To accelerate delivery, the Township took advantage of the opportunity to purchase and outfit a demonstration unit, avoiding the multi-year wait times that often accompany new fire apparatus orders.

Director of Building and Life Safety Raymond Stackhouse, in coordination with Thorndale Fire Chief Patrick Taylor, has also initiated a long-term apparatus replacement program to modernize the Township's emergency response fleet. A new custom fire apparatus is expected to arrive in 2027 to replace the aging 2015 Engine 38. Through planned fleet replacement, Caln Township is committed to maintaining dependable fire and rescue equipment capable of meeting the community's emergency response needs.

The Township also extends its appreciation to neighboring fire companies for their assistance in covering emergency calls and providing apparatus while local equipment was undergoing inspection, maintenance, and repairs.

About Caln Township Emergency Services Division
The Caln Township Emergency Services Division protects the health, safety, and welfare of the community through coordinated fire and rescue response, emergency planning, life safety initiatives, code enforcement, public education, training, and collaboration with volunteer and regional emergency service partners. Through these efforts, the division helps ensure residents, businesses, and visitors receive timely, professional, and dependable emergency services.