A coalition of fire departments serving Aspinwall, Sharpsburg and other Lower Valley communities will launch an intensive recruitment process to address the region’s volunteer shortage.
The number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania has plummeted about 90% since 1970, according to the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute. It is estimated that only about 38,000 volunteer firefighters remain in the state.
Leaders at Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services, along with those in Millvale, Shaler, Etna and Reserve, are stepping up efforts to reverse the trend.
Ten departments will work together to address emergency response staffing using a nearly $1 million grant awarded by the federal government. The money comes through FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program.
“This award will allow us to focus on the future,” said Dennis Lane, president of SAVES, which includes Aspinwall and Sharpsburg.
The grant will pay for a coordinator to implement a comprehensive recruitment and retention program. Some of the money will be used to upgrade protective equipment and devise marketing campaigns and incentive programs. Work is expected to get underway next year.
Lane said the long-term impact is invaluable because the initiative bolsters regional numbers.
“It ultimately provides peace of mind for the 48,000 residents we (collectively) protect every day,” he said.
Included in the plan are SAVES, Etna Volunteer Fire Company, Millvale Volunteer Fire Department, Reserve Volunteer Fire Department, Bauerstown Volunteer Fire Department, Cherry City Volunteer Fire Company, Elfinwild Volunteer Fire Company, Shaler Villa Volunteer Fire Company, Sharps Hill Volunteer Fire Company and Undercliff Volunteer Fire Company.
The combined coverage area of four boroughs and three townships includes state Routes 28 and 8, the Allegheny River and its water supply systems, multiple rail lines and several major bridges connecting to the city of Pittsburgh.
The departments also provide fire protection to the Pittsburgh VA Hospital and RIDC Industrial Park, both in O’Hara.
Sharpsburg and Aspinwall, each in service for more than 100 years, merged in 2023 to help thwart attrition. Combining services helped reduce costs, streamline equipment and strengthen response.
While the SAFER grant doesn’t aim for widespread mergers, it will help the departments collaborate more efficiently and increase manpower.
“It’s hard to secure grants like that as a single department,” said Etna firefighter Aiden Bayne. “It’s more beneficial for the area because we received more money together than we would individually.”