In a surprise move, O’Hara officials announced Wednesday that the township’s two longtime fire departments will merge.
Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Company and Parkview Volunteer Fire Department are in formal talks to join forces, township Manager Julie Jakubec said in a news release.
The departments would operate under the Pleasant Valley name. Parkview EMS would be unaffected, officials said.
Details were scant, but Jakubec said the decision follows a review of operational needs, staffing trends and financial considerations.
Representatives of both departments declined to comment.
The news has left many residents with questions about the structure, staffing and coverage moving forward.
“It’s hard for anybody to merge any group of people, but it’s a necessary thing,” Councilman Mike Hammill said.
It was unclear why O’Hara government has a hand in the decision.
Hammill said multiple meetings were held between the fire chiefs and members of the township’s fire committee. That group includes Hammill, Jakubec, council President Cassandra Eccles and Councilman Shamus Petrucelli.
“Throughout the year, we were trying to give our best efforts not to have any of this happen, but we decided (it’s time),” Hammill said.
Other council members were made aware of the plan, he said.
The move is necessary to maintain healthy fire services in the township, according to the release.
The township gives both fire departments $75,000 and owns a majority of their vehicles. O’Hara also covers workmen’s compensation and insurances.
Potential cost savings were not released.
According to Jakubec, consolidating resources, personnel and equipment would position the department to better meet current and future demands, while maintaining high standards of safety and service.
Services will continue without interruption throughout the discussions, she said.
Parkview has been serving the township since 1930. Pleasant Valley was formed in 1909.
Even for long-standing agencies, mergers are becoming more common across the country to combat shrinking finances and volunteerism.
In Pennsylvania, the number of volunteer firefighters has dropped about 90% since 1970, according to the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute. They estimate that only about 38,000 volunteer firefighters remain in the state.
In the Pittsburgh region, several departments have consolidated successfully and come out stronger.
Aspinwall and Sharpsburg fire departments merged in 2023 to form the Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services. Agencies in New Kensington, Vandergrift and Cheswick also have merged.
The result has been increased efficiency, faster response times and prolonged sustainability.
Currently, Foxwall EMS and West Deer EMS have entered into what officials are calling a strategic partnership to better serve residents. Chiefs of both agencies said they are willing to consider a merger.
“We all agreed this was the best direction to go,” Hammill said.