Volunteers

Volunteer opportunities abound with our Township’s parks and playgrounds and with our Volunteer Fire Department.

Should you have an interest in volunteering with youth activities, please see the Recreation Department webpage for contact information for our playground associations.

Should you have an interest in volunteering for our Fire Department, please contact one of our fire stations or our Fire Chief for further information. An application for our Fire Department is available here.

ACT 153 Compliance

For ALL of our volunteers, Act 153 compliance is imperative. In order to participate in youth programs and activities, Act 153 requires that you provide:

1. Results of a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance;
2. Results of a Child Abuse History Clearance; and
3. Results of a Federal Criminal History Record (fingerprint-based) OR (if you meet certain exemptions) a completed Disclosure Statement Application for Volunteers.

Both parks/playgrounds volunteers and volunteer fire personnel must comply with Act 153. All but the fingerprint-based Federal Criminal History Record can be completed online.

For more information on how and where to complete these required clearances, please review the Act 153 Requirements for Whitehall Township Volunteers. A Disclosure Statement Application for Volunteers is provided below.

Mandatory Reporting

If you suspect an incident of child abuse, regardless of whether a report has been filed by another individual regarding the same child, you are required, under Act 153, to report it IMMEDIATELY by either calling the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-932-0313 or online at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home. You MUST do this before you notify your supervisor. If you report via the hotline, you will be required to follow up with a written DHS Form CY47 or electronic report within 48 hours. If you file online, the website will provide confirmation of receipt, which you should print and retain for your records. If you do not receive a receipt, you must resubmit until confirmation is received. Other than notifying your supervisor, no further action will be necessary. See documentation below for more information regarding Mandatory Reporting.

Documentation

- An Open Letter To All Playground Associations
- Act 153 Requirements for Whitehall Township Volunteers
- Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting Requirement
- Disclosure Statement Application For Volunteers
- Firefighter and Fire Police Application