The Rice Township Volunteer Fire Department began in 1955 when a group of men formely known as the Rice Township Republician Club met and decided there was a need for more fire protection within Rice Township.More details to come in the near future!!!

Today, our department is a 100% volunteer department that protects a mostly rural residential area stretching approximately 10 square miles as well as a 4 mile stretch of Interstate 81 that cuts through the township. According to the 2000 census the population was 2,460 but with the drastic increase in new home construction including the development of the Ice Lakes, Ice Ponds and Woodberry Manor which started around 2001 that number has increased greatly. We provide first due rescue coverage in 3 neighboring towns. Our department is also a member of the Mountain Top Firefighters Mutual Aid Association and provides mutual aid assistance to 9 neighboring towns including Wright Township, Nuangola Borough, Fairview Township, Dorrance Township, Slocum Township, Dennison Township, White Haven Borough, Pond-Hill Lily Lake(Conyngham Township)Hollenback(Hobbie) Township. We also have a mutual aid agreement with Hanover Township and provide assistance to multiple other townships when requested. The Rice Township Fire Department provides many specialized emergency and non-emergency services outside of fire suppression including but not limited to Water Rescue, High-Angle Rope Rescue, Vehicle and Machinery Rescue, Hazardous Material Mitigation, BLS medical assistance and Public Fire Safety and Education. We currently operate out of 1 station with a fleet 6 apparatus including Squad 172  Rescue/Pumper, Ladder 172 Quint, 172 Tanker 6 Pumper/Tanker, 1 Inflatable Rescue Boat, 1 Fire Command SUV and Utility 172 mini-pumper.