West Hancock Fire Rescue

Pearlington, Mississippi

“Totally professional, 100% volunteer…”

About Us

West Hancock Fire Rescue is an all-volunteer force running an average of 1000 runs a year.  We are the first line of defense in our community for not only fire, rescue, and haz-mat but also for natural disasters.  At any given time, West Hancock is ready to respond to any and all types of emergencies.  We regularly respond to fires and automobile accidents but are ready to act when called upon for other incidents such as haz-mat, confined space and high angle rescue, trench rescue, water rescue, and numerous other operations.

 

West Hancock Fire Protection District is spread out over 75 square miles.  Pearlington is surrounded by over 200,000 acres of forest that makes up the Federal Buffer Zone known as Stennis Space Center.  In addition to protecting
the town of Pearlington, we also solely cover roughly 13 miles of I-10 and the I-10 Pearl River bridge which is of great economic importance to the Deep South.  We are also 1st alarm mutual aid to Stennis Space Center and furnish both mutual and automatic aid to neighboring fire departments in both Hancock County, Mississippi and St.
Tammany Parish, Louisiana.  We are also solely responsible for protecting a large industrial port facility (Port Bienville) that is home to 3 major chemical companies and also a Department of Defense contractor.

 

Recruitment

According to NFPAs 2004 fire department survey, about 74% of all fire departments in the United States were volunteer.  That's an estimated 816,600 volunteers!  The best way to help West Hancock Fire Rescue is to become one of those volunteers.  There are thousands of reasons why members of communities all over the world decide to become volunteer firefighters.  The biggest reason people volunteer is simply wanting to help others and give something back to the community they live in. Membership is not just open to individuals interested in fire suppression or emergency medical services.  We are also looking for people to help ensure that our department is running efficiently. If you are at least 17 years old, you are eligible for membership.  (We also
have a Junior Firefighter program open to young people ages 14-16.)  Once an application is submitted, applicants undergo a comprehensive background check and begin a 30-day trial period.  After the 30-day period, the applicant is then voted on by the membership body.
You may pick up an application at our station or click here.  For questions, call or email us.