Pottstown's Goodwill, Phillies Fire Companies To Merge

POTTSTOWN, PA — Pottstown is restructuring its two major departments, merging the central administration of Goodwill Fire Company and Phillies Fire Company, they announced recently.

Phillies personnel will be organized under Goodwill Fire Company starting on July 1. Phillies will continue to operate out of its current station, maintaining its identity.

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Officials call it a cost-effective move that will maintain services while improving efficiency at a time when fire departments across the country face increasing costs and a decline in volunteers.

“Leadership from both organizations recognize that this transition would not be possible without the strong working relationship, open communication, and mutual respect that has been established between the Phillies Fire Co. and the Goodwill Fire Co.," Phillies leaders Chief Joe Groff, Vice President Charlie Pierce, and President Chad Quinter shared in a statement. "Over the course of this process, both companies have remained committed to ensuring that the focus remains on public safety, employee support, and continued professional service to the community."

Phillies, established 155 years ago, will shift administrative duties over to Goodwill on July 1.

The borough is also supporting and helping to facilitate the merger.

Phillies staff have already operated out of Goodwill Fire Station since 2024 due to issues at the Phillies building. Those issues have since been resolved, but the period of closely working together proved the potential benefits of efficiency and improved coordination, officials said.

The overall number of employees will remain the same within the fire department, and Phillies will remain eligible for some state funding. A portion of state funding previously allocated to Phillies will be sent to Goodwill.