Hello Residents and Visitors,
I welcome you to the Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department. My name is Bryan Watt, and I am your Fire Chief. I was born and raised right here in Robinson Township. After graduating from Montour High School and Pittsburgh Technical Institute, I joined the fire department and have been a firefighter for over 20 years. I am a third-generation firefighter, as both my grandfather and great-grandfather were founding members of the Forest Grove VFD. My family history is deeply rooted in Robinson, dating back to the 1800s. Today, I have the honor, alongside my wife, of raising our 3-year-old son in this wonderful township.
Robinson Township is ever-growing and ever-evolving, and Forest Grove graciously grows and evolves with it. With humble beginnings in the post-war era, we now strive to provide the foremost fire protection and life safety to all our residents and visitors. We are 100% volunteers — your friends and neighbors — trained to the highest standards to ensure professionalism and competence at every emergency and public service detail.
Forest Grove is one of three volunteer fire departments in Robinson Township. Our main apparatus is the aerial (ladder truck), which provides elevated fire suppression, high-angle rescue service, quick entry to upper floors, and many other critical tasks. We also provide QRS (Quick Response Service) EMS support during high-demand times. Our medically certified personnel proudly stand ready to assist. In addition, the department operates a UTV with a brush and rescue skid, capable of reaching steep or difficult terrain. This unit can suppress brush fires, perform rescues, and tow a unique stokes basket trailer to help extricate injured individuals from remote areas.
We are also proud to have founded one of the area’s first Junior Firefighter programs, which continues to thrive today. Our members take pride in mentoring these future firefighters, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and values they need to succeed.
While our focus is emergency response, our passion is fire prevention and education. We believe that giving residents the tools and knowledge to prepare for emergencies is just as important as responding to them. From fire extinguisher training at the station to safety presentations in schools and churches, our fire prevention team works tirelessly. Recently, we received a grant to launch the area’s first inflatable fire education house, which will debut at the Autumn Festival and continue to be used annually at the elementary school to teach children how to safely escape a burning home.
Our fire station is more than a place to house apparatus — it is a true community hub. From pancake breakfasts and annual open houses to youth fire safety events and even private celebrations like weddings, birthdays, and graduations in our social hall, we are proud to call Robinson Township our home.
In closing, we are always looking to grow and build for the future. Are you interested in challenging yourself while making a difference? Helping others is what we do best. Various volunteer positions are available. Join our team and become part of something special!
Respectfully,
Bryan Watt
Fire Chief
Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department
Robinson Township, PA