Daytime Fire Coverage Plans Formulated In Warminster

WARMINSTER, PA —With questions raised for the past six months about daytime fire coverage, township officials are working on plans for improvements.

Township officials said they are committed to hiring a deputy to the fire marshal/emergency management services director who would be fully qualified and able to answer calls for fire and medical assistance during the day.

The township is also discussing firefighting assistance with Ivyland Borough to contribute during the week when volunteer time is less available for both municipalities.

Warminster Township will directly bear the costs of outfitting and equipping any new volunteers that can be available during the business day for the Hartsville Fire Company and Warminster Fire Department, officials said.

The two fire companies have criticized the township for failing to provide adequate coverage and held town meetings in the past month to plead their case that fire officials tried to seek funding for full-time firefighters.

Last fall, the Warminster Fire Department blasted township officials, saying they could have used a grant to pay for full-time firefighters to enhance coverage.

Township supervisors had adopted a resolution calling for the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass two bills related to the creation of a fire district to help municipalities fund, full-time firefighters. The resolution also addressed recent recruitment issues.

The fire department has argued that Warminster received a $1.8 million SAFER grant two years ago to pay for five full-time firefighters for three years but the township never enacted it.

At its Jan. 19 meeting, resident Kerry Kulbach said she attended one of the town hall meetings and had concerns about daytime response times.

"Your response time is probably going to be better than it is now," Supervisors Chairman Kenneth Hayes said. "We're working on that. We understand it's a problem. No one's house is burning down. We have coverage. There's an entire call system and support system."

Hayes said a lot of information provided in the town hall meetings was not factual.

"Rest assured, we're working on the problem," Hayes said. "Your house is safe during the day and the evening. We are turning every stone over to make sure we find a temporary solution until Harrisburg gives us the tools to move forward."

Hayes cited the township's lower tax base and the fact that a reassessment hasn't been done in the township for 50 years.

Hayes said Hartsville and the Warminster Fire Department both receive $500,000 each year for their operations in the municipal budget.

"We're going to have a solution long before this becomes an issue," he said. "We do represent the residents. everyone has to put their big boy pants on and come to a reasonable compromise."

Warminster Fire Department Chief Mitch Shapiro addressed supervisors stating that both sides should meet to discuss finances but meetings always get delayed or canceled.

Pete Croak, board chairman of the Warminster Fire Department, said that he, Shapiro, and Hartsville Fire Chief Chris McDonald have more than 200 years of experience riding daytime fire trucks.

"It's time for me to move on to the pasture," said Croak, who recently retired as Hatboro's fire chief. "We need help. We're ready to move on."

Township officials and Shapiro said they would try to find time for a meeting in March.