To say Stephen Ross is dedicated to protecting and serving his community would be a vast understatement. Ross has been a volunteer firefighter since he was a teenager and credits the exceptional training and mentorship he received to his decision to pursue an alternative path of service with the United States Marines Corps. Now, as vice president and reigning Firefighter of the Year at South Hanover Volunteer Fire Company, Ross offers that same mentorship and training to young volunteers while giving back to the community.
In honor of Veterans Day, the Capital Region Council of Governments and www.CapitalRegionFirefighter.org are proud to highlight the remarkable individuals across the East Shore, West Shore and Capital Region, like Ross, who continue to serve as volunteers at their local fire company.
“It was partially motivated by family, but also just growing up with the idea of service and wanting to give back,” says Ross, on his decision to enlist at 19.
“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t an adjustment and a little bit of shell shock transitioning from my family
home, but I got into the flow of things very quickly. I was a little homesick, but I really enjoyed my time on active duty,” he added.
Ross completed training in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, then was subsequently stationed in Washington D.C. From 2008 to 2010, Ross was stationed at the White House Communication Agency, traveling overseas to the United Kingdom, Japan, Ghana, Czech Republic and Turkey in support of Presidential and Vice-Presidential missions.
“It was fantastic, and I am really appreciative that I was given that opportunity. What the White House Communication Agency does is really special, and the people that I was surrounded with were just very high caliber individuals,” said Ross.
After completing his contract with the United State Marine Corps, Ross transitioned to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 2012, serving as Weapons Squad Leader, Instructor, Unit Supply Sergeant, Budget Officer to his current role as a Budget Officer.
“I started the new role in March 2024, and I am more on the administrative side, managing the budget and funding,” said Ross.
Ross joined South Hanover Volunteer Fire Company in January 2023, and mere months later, he was the recipient of the company’s 2023 Firefighter of the Year Award.
“It was very rewarding, and I was appreciative of what that reward represented for the company, in terms of the future we have planned,” said Ross.
The following year Ross was named the company’s vice president. In that role, he assists with managing grants, fundraising, community involvement and stands in for the president when he is absent or unavailable.
Ross encourages others to consider volunteering with their local fire company, whether it’s on the front lines fighting fires, helping out with managing the fire company’s fundraising drives or learning new skills as a junior firefighter.
“The fire service is struggling in terms of volunteerism. It’s really rewarding, and it makes you a much more well-rounded individual,” said Ross. “We have all different types of people involved in the fire service. We have other veterans, carpenters, mechanics, attorneys and it’s amazing to see such a wide group of people come together to solve problems in the community.”
South Hanover Volunteer Fire Company is one of the 21 fire companies included in the Capital Region Firefighter volunteer recruitment campaign.
If you want to serve your community and make a difference, there’s likely a nearby fire company and a position for you based on your skills, interests and availability. All training and gear are provided at no cost; no prior experience is needed to join. To learn more or express interest in volunteering, visit www.CapitalRegionFirefighter.org.