MILLERSVILLE, LANCASTER COUNTY -
A plan to merge four fire departments together could save the future of firefighting in this part of Lancaster County, according to a group of firefighters and citizens.
"It's a sweetheart solution that we've put together," Russ Guthrie, chairman of the task force that authored the plan, said.
Four fire departments cover Millersville Borough and most of Manor Township.
Under the plan these departments - Washington Borough, Millersville, Highville, and West Lancaster - would become one volunteer company.
Backers said it will save $3.5 million in firefighting expenses over 10 years and give volunteers more time to be firefighters, not fund raisers.
"That is the purpose of this whole thing," Washington Borough fire department president Jim Knapp said. "Try to cut down on the fund raising. We will have some, but we're not going to have like we do."
Knapp said his company spends more than half its time raising money. He says it's a big turn off for potential volunteers, and the department is anxious to cut back.
"If we could give up two chicken barbecues, it would make our members happy," Knapp said.
The task force that spent two years coming up with the plan claimed it's the best way to keep the area safe.
Volunteer firefighters are vanishing, task force chairman Guthrie said.
There were 300,000 volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania in 1980. There are only 70,000 today, he said.
"I may be in a situation where I have a fire at my home, and I have to get my garden hose and go save my wife," Guthrie said. "I don't think we as a society want to be there."
Representatives from the four fire companies said a majority of their membership supports the plan.
Leaders from Manor Township and Millersville Borough now have to choose whether to back the plan in the coming weeks.
"It's a sweetheart solution that we've put together," Russ Guthrie, chairman of the task force that authored the plan, said.
Four fire departments cover Millersville Borough and most of Manor Township.
Under the plan these departments - Washington Borough, Millersville, Highville, and West Lancaster - would become one volunteer company.
Backers said it will save $3.5 million in firefighting expenses over 10 years and give volunteers more time to be firefighters, not fund raisers.
"That is the purpose of this whole thing," Washington Borough fire department president Jim Knapp said. "Try to cut down on the fund raising. We will have some, but we're not going to have like we do."
Knapp said his company spends more than half its time raising money. He says it's a big turn off for potential volunteers, and the department is anxious to cut back.
"If we could give up two chicken barbecues, it would make our members happy," Knapp said.
The task force that spent two years coming up with the plan claimed it's the best way to keep the area safe.
Volunteer firefighters are vanishing, task force chairman Guthrie said.
There were 300,000 volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania in 1980. There are only 70,000 today, he said.
"I may be in a situation where I have a fire at my home, and I have to get my garden hose and go save my wife," Guthrie said. "I don't think we as a society want to be there."
Representatives from the four fire companies said a majority of their membership supports the plan.
Leaders from Manor Township and Millersville Borough now have to choose whether to back the plan in the coming weeks.
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