The fire substation in Newtown Township.
File photo
Newtown Township is reviewing plans to end its fire services agreement with the all-volunteer Newtown Fire Association.
The proposal was first recommended by Township Manager Kurt Ferguson this week to the Board of Supervisors during a budget discussion.
According to Ferguson, suspending the agreement at the end of it term on December 31, 2017 would transition the township into providing its own fire services with help from a new, smaller volunteer department as well the current paid firefighters. The proposal would cut out utilizing the Newtown Fire Association during overnight and weekend hours when the township’s paid firefighters are not on duty. Ferguson noted that the township currently has eight full-time firefighters on its payroll.
Ferguson, who recommended the proposed new volunteer company begin in 2018, said suspending the agreement would allow the township to keep about $300,000 in funds. The money comes about half from local taxes and the other portion comes from the state.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Under the proposal, the township would hire a deputy fire chief and work with surrounding volunteer departments to coordinate volunteers as well as equipment. Working with fire companies in Upper Makefield and Wrightstown could also eventually lead to cost sharing, the township manager said.
According to Ferguson, a regional approach would be taken to help ensure adequate coverage and public safety in times when it’s harder for local fire departments to attract volunteers and raising funds to buy equipment.
“There is a constant struggle as far as having needed volunteers,” Ferguson said, adding regionalizing fire services would help keep the community safe.
The paid department, which covers the township about 60 hours per week, and the new volunteer company would be based out of the township complex on Eagle Road.
The Newtown Fire Association is based in Newtown Borough and also current provides emergency response service for the township out of a substation by the township building.
Newtown Fire Association members on a call in Newtown Township.
Credit: Newtown Fire Association
A 2,000-square foot addition to the public works garage for the new volunteer fire company, the purchase of gear for about 15 volunteer firefighters and obtaining a used fire truck would be included in the proposed 2017 budget, Ferguson said.
“I believe this fundamental change is a better model for fire service in the township moving forward,” Ferguson said.
The township manager’s budget draft item is only a proposal and will likely be talked about more by the Board of Supervisors and the Newtown Fire Association.
Several years back, the township hired former police Lt. Glenn Forsyth to become Newtown Township’s full-time paid fire chief. He oversees the current paid department and volunteers when they operate in the township.
