Warminster Studying Volunteer Firefighter Shortage

WARMINSTER, PA — Officials in Warminster Township are studying the local level of fire service, including what officials say are shortages of volunteers during some shifts.

Warminster is served by both the Warminster and Hartsville fire companies. They are both 100% volunteer forces and "do an outstanding job," Township Manager Gregg Schuster said in a release Monday.

But, because of their volunteer nature, there have been issues having enough firefighters on duty during workday hours, when many volunteers are at their day jobs.

"We are also seeing a nationwide decline in the number of people willing to become volunteer firefighters," Schuster said.

For the past few months, Warminster has been conducting a study of its fire services, Schuster said. An outside consultant is helping officials assess current service as well as future needs.

Schuster called the study a first step toward understanding the problem and planning a course for the future. Once the study is completed, it will be presented to Warminster's board of supervisors for action.