A state study examining the fire service in New Stanton, Youngwood and Hempfield’s Midway-St. Clair area determined the stations should be consolidated.
New Stanton Council President Cory Thoma said council is set to vote Tuesday on whether to form a committee to look into the matter further and start discussions with Youngwood and Hempfield. He hopes the neighboring municipalities will do the same.
With fewer volunteer firefighters and dwindling resources, Thoma sees the future of firefighting as a collaborative effort among municipalities and paying firefighters for responding to calls.
“This is the first step in a long process toward that goal,” he said.
The findings of the study, conducted by the state Department of Community and Economic Development, were presented to officials in all three municipalities last month.
Officials said they’re open to examining the recommendations and framework.
There are about 8,500 people living in New Stanton, Youngwood and the Midway-St. Clair area, in the southern part of Hempfield, along the Route 119 corridor, according to the study. The stations are responsible for about 19 square miles.
They respond to a combined total of about 1,400 calls annually.
Hempfield’s Midway-St. Clair fire station falls about 3 miles away from the Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department and about 6 miles away from New Stanton’s station.
Midway-St. Clair in August became the second community volunteer fire department in Hempfield to dissolve its charter. The station, on Broadway Avenue, remains a base for fire trucks and firefighters.
The study looked at call data and response times at all three stations over the past three to five years. It suggested possible locations for a combined station to be built to meet response time goals and recommended some paid staff to ensure enough firefighters are available at busy times.
The project was estimated at several million dollars and could take a few years to complete.
If implemented, the three municipalities would share costs based on population and call volume formulas, according to the study.
Youngwood fire Chief Lloyd Crago, also a borough councilman, said he didn’t think the study looked at the current state of each of the departments.
“I do think something needs to be done, but I don’t know where it’s going to go,” he said.
Hempfield Supervisor Doug Weimer said that’s an area with residential growth and a need for solid fire response.
“I think there’s more for each of our communities to talk about, and I think there’ll be continued discussion as these communities work out how they’re going to maintain their stations,” he said.
Hempfield has been undertaking a transformation of its fire service through a process that shifts station management to the township while volunteer firefighters continue to respond to calls. Plans are being formulated for new station locations across the township, while existing station buildings might no longer be needed.
Hempfield has a stable of paid firefighters who are on hand to respond to calls during the day.
Township Manager Aaron Siko said the study’s findings align with the township’s ongoing consolidation efforts.
“Our board is committed to discussing further enhancements to our local fire service with our neighboring municipalities,” he said.