NVFC Member Spotlight: Joseph Chornock

Name: Joseph Chornock
Title: Firefighter
Department: Columbia Borough Fire Department
Location: Columbia, PA

Why are you an NVFC member?
I have enjoyed working with the NVFC on many issues affecting the volunteers. The NVFC has been at the forefront of legislation, and I have been able to stand with them in Annapolis and in Congress.

What is your occupation?
Retired

Why are you a fire service volunteer?
I am proud to say that I have been a volunteer in the fire service for 49 years, [including] 48 years active in Montgomery County, MD. I have served as a firefighter, EMT, and paramedic. I rose through the ranks from a fire officer to a fire chief. I have enjoyed working within the communities I have served to educate the public on fire safety within their homes, in their businesses, and in their religious establishments. I have fought to bring changes to protect, such as requiring sprinkler systems in residential facilities.

I have moved to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the department I joined is 100% volunteer. The FDSOA has made me their ambassador to PA because I need to do everything I can to save firefighters’ lives.

What year did you join the fire or emergency services?
1976

What are your memorable moments as a firefighter or EMS provider?
In the course of my career as a volunteer firefighter/paramedic, I have delivered 13 babies. The first one was on Labor Day 1981. The second was on Veterans Day of the same year! That has always stood out as a tremendous event in my service.

What contributions have you (and your department) made in your community?
I started with the Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Department in 1980, as we prepared to open the first fire station in Germantown, MD, on January 4, 1981. When Station 29 opened, there were only about 7,000 people living in the first due area.

In 1985, I attempted to incorporate the town of Germantown but was not successful. In 1989, I worked with the State of Maryland to secure a charter for a new fire department, the Germantown Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. With the help of the County Council, Station 29 became its home.

The area around the station continued to grow, and when I stepped down as fire chief in 2022, the population had grown to over 105,000 residents. We had expanded to three stations, responding to well over 10,000 calls a year. This is a tremendous difference from the 242 calls in 1981.

What practices help you stay physically and mentally strong for your crew?
I was lucky to attend training events throughout my career, especially the IAFC-VCOS Symposium, which was a tremendous venue to learn. I made sure that I brought back to my department things that I learned.

Interested in serving your community? Find volunteer fire service opportunities at www.MakeMeAFirefighter.org.