Neighborhood Spotlight: ‘It’s great when you’re helping people’

He acquired a passion for firefighting at a young age.

Still just a young whippersnapper, Erik Reichard has been a member of the Mahoning Valley Fire Company for the past five years.

In that time, Reichard — who joined the fire company as a junior member when he was just 14 — said he’s learned many invaluable lessons.

“To me, being a firefighter is all about helping your community and helping others,” Reichard said. “It also gives you a good sense of responsibility.”

Becoming a member

Reichard said he joined the fire company shortly after helping current Mahoning Valley Fire Company Assistant Fire Chief Jay Michalik on his tree farm.

“I just loved doing it,” said Reichard, 19. “Now, it’s just something that you can’t turn away from; it’s great when you’re helping people.”

Reichard noted that his late grandfather Nevin Reichard was a former member of Lehighton Engine Company No. 2.

“That helped to push me,” he said. “I saw what he did and I wanted to do that.”

Keeping up with the demands

Reichard noted it takes a team effort — and often multiple fire companies — to successfully handle a fire.

“When the pagers go off, it’s more than just one guy,” he said. “There are times when we need help, and we reach out to our neighboring departments.”

Reichard described what he believes to be the biggest challenge of being a volunteer firefighter.

“The required amount of time to do the training,” he said. “Sometimes it gets hard to balance, but you make it work.”

Reichard said he has learned much in his five years with the fire department.

“It gives you a sense of responsibility,” he said. “It just keeps you going.”

A graduate of the Carbon Career and Technical Institute, Reichard works as a maintenance tech for UGI HVAC in Whitehall.

Future of the fire company

Reichard explained the importance of being a volunteer firefighter.

“It’s a great way to help your community, serve your community,” he said. “It truly is a family.”

Reichard said the fire company currently has between 30-35 members.

“If anyone is interested in joining Mahoning, we are always welcoming members,” he said.

Reichard said he’s glad he joined at a young age and encourages others to do the same.

“Even starting at a young age in the fire service, you can work your way up through the ranks, from being a firefighter to being a chief in years to come,” he said. “It also gives you a good sense of working as a team and how that can be beneficial, and how working with a great group of guys can go a long way, and you can accomplish a lot.