The scene would be typical of any house full of college students at 2 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon.

One student relaxes while playing a computer game and another sits in a recliner in the next room, trying to study. Another is preparing for his daily workout, while one eats lunch, watching an ESPN replay of last weekend's Penn State-Michigan State football game.

This is not just a house, however, and these students are not just killing time. This is the Alpha Fire Co., 400 W. Beaver Ave., and these students are volunteers on call.

The Alpha Fire Co., State College's preeminent fire-fighting outfit, is home to about 90 firefighters, about 18 of who are Penn State students, Chief Scott Fry said, adding that all the fire company's firefighters are volunteers.

Nick Kuchmay (sophomore-criminal law and justice) joined the fire company last May.

"It's a childhood dream of mine to be a firefighter," Kuchmay said. "It's a chance to do something helpful while I'm at Penn State. It's fun too."

Kuchmay is still trying to complete the mandatory 18-month training period it takes to become a member of the company. Fry said that in the 18-month period, fire company trainees typically complete 150 hours of training.

"We train to the same level as any paid fire department," Fry said. "We're very proud of that."

Geoff Cornish (sophomore-meteorology) also is a member still trying to complete his 18-month training period. Cornish said he enjoys firefighting.

"It's a practical sport," Cornish said. "It's fun, but we're getting a job done. It adds excitement to my life. You never know when the pager goes off."

Chris Stroz (senior-industrial health and safety) has been a member of the fire company since February 1998. He already has a job with Texaco-Chevron in San Francisco when he graduates. Stroz said that his experience in the fire company might have helped him land the job.

"(Fire-fighting) has been a big benefit," Stroz said. "It has made me stand out. This kind of training is what they're looking for."

As far as time commitment, firefighting volunteers can spend as little as two to three hours a week to as much as 20 hours a week at the company, said Jonathan Campbell (junior-management science and information systems).

"It becomes a little bit of a lifestyle," Campbell said. "There hasn't been a day when I haven't at least passed through."

Fry insists, however, that for students, schoolwork must take priority.

"We tell students they're here to go to school, with an added benefit of helping the community," Fry said. "But the number one reason they're here is to go to school."

Nevertheless, Fry maintains that volunteer firefighting is a unique and rewarding way for these students to spend their college years.

"We're unlike any other volunteer organization," Fry said. "We're volunteering and putting our lives on the line."