It's that time again for New Year's resolutions. Some people want to get in shape. Others want to volunteer their time. So why not do both?

The Baldwin-Whitehall area is always looking for brave people to volunteer as part of its local fire departments, and one of them could be you.

The area, which includes the Borough of Baldwin, the Borough of Whitehall and Baldwin Township, boasts six fire stations and five fire companies. The Whitehall Fire Company can be found at two locations: 601 Weyman Road and 4480 Clairton Blvd. Meanwhile, Baldwin Borough has four separate companies that serve the municipality: Baldwin Independent Fire Company No. 1 at 3049 Churchview Ave., Becks Run Volunteer Fire Department at 801 Becks Run Road, Option Independent Fire Company at 825 Streets Run Road and South Baldwin Volunteer Fire Company at 5311 McAnulty Road. (The Castle Shannon Volunteer Fire Department at 3600 Library Road covers Baldwin Township.)

No matter the size of the station or the land served, each Baldwin-Whitehall fire company (and the Castle Shannon VFD) is constantly looking for volunteers. After all, you never know how many firefighters will be needed. Not everyone can apply to be a volunteer firefighter at any station that they choose, but other than that, there aren't many limitations.

For example, the Baldwin Independent Fire Company No. 1 states on its website, "[To be an] active firefighter, members and applicants for this class of membership must live within a two-road mile radius of Baldwin Borough, must have attained the age of 18 years, and obtain written consent from a physician stating that [s/]he is physically able to perform the duties of a firefighter."

There are certainly other steps to take, but the opportunity for most adults to be firefighters is just as certain. For more information, visit the company's "Join Us" page.

And just because you don't live in Castle Shannon Borough doesn't mean that you can't volunteer to protect Baldwin Township. In fact, some Castle Shannon firefighters don't live there. After all, many came to the Castle Shannon VFD from its merger with Baldwin Township's old Rolling Hills Volunteer Fire Department in 1993.

You can visit the Castle Shannon VFD's "Recruitment" page here.

The Whitehall Fire Company explains exactly how to volunteer at its website. As the site explains, "The Company is actively seeking volunteers, 18 years or older, who wish to serve the community in a substantive way. Potential volunteers are encouraged to stop by Station No. 2 at 601 Weyman Road at 7:45 p.m. on the third Monday of each month, or call 412-882-8820 and leave a message for the Chief or the Assistant Chief."

The South Baldwin Volunteer Fire Company states on its "become a member" page, "Volunteering your time to save lives in the community takes a special kind of person. Someone with commitment, dedication and bravery. If you possess these qualities, we would love for you join our team." Visit that page for more information.

Though the Option Independent Fire Company and Becks Run Volunteer Fire Department do not have websites, you can contact those stations at 412-881-9704 and 412-481-2330, respectively, to learn how to volunteer.

If you're not interested in being a firefighter but still wish to volunteer, most stations accept volunteers to serve in other capacities. Contact each company to learn how.

If you can't commit the time, the stations would certainly appreciate donations. Contact each company to learn how to contribute in that way.