Firefighters Holding 1 More Town Hall Explaining Warminster Coverage

WARMINSTER, PA —The township's two fire companies have taken their coverage case to the community.

The Warminster Fire Department and Hartsville Fire Company have one final town hall meeting seeking the public's support regarding its campaign to ensure fire department coverage for residents.

"We would like to thank all of the residents that came out last night to hear our concerns on daytime staffing," the fire departments posted on Facebook Thursday. "We appreciate all of the input we received."

The last meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Warminster Fire Department, 300 Madison Ave.

The fire department said that in August 2018 it notified the township's Board of Supervisors that the two fire companies could "no longer guarantee a timely response during the day" when available volunteers are at the lowest if a fire were to occur.

"Over four years later, this problem has not been fixed," the department said. "We need your support."

The town halls were scheduled to show residents the steps (study, grant, etc) the Warminster Fire Department and Hartsville Fire Company took to "ensure your safety and what obstacles have prevented a safe resolution to this public safety problem."

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.

"The grant would have fully funded five career firefighters for three years alleviating much of the danger during these high-risk daytime hours, but unfortunately, even a zero-contribution grant wasn't enough to motivate Warminster Township officials to do what's right for the community."

Township Supervisor Chairman Kenneth Hayes explained to Patch why.

"We were awarded the grant, but it's not sustainable, especially coming off the cliff of bankruptcy," said Hayes regarding the township's previous finances. The township is expected to vote on its 2023 budget later this week.

"Three years is great," Hayes said. "It looks great on paper, but it doesn't solve anything."