Millcreek Township Supervisors accepted a proposal to hire several experienced full-time paid firefighters and a fire chief. This decision supplements the pre-existing volunteer fire departments and is in response to concerns and recommendations made by the Millcreek Township Fire and Emergency Services Commission.
Earlier this year, The Millcreek Township Fire and Emergency Services Commission, consisting of existing fire department chiefs and residents, recommended these hires as a necessity. The specifics of the proposal developed over time with weight given to each course of action.
“As volunteerism continues to decline and Millcreek’s population grows, we have recognized the logical necessity to bolster volunteer fire departments as they respond to emergency calls” said Jim Rosenbaum, Chief of West Ridge Fire Department and Chairman of the Millcreek Fire and Emergency Services Commission.
Volunteer fire departments are on decline across Pennsylvania. According to the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute, the number of volunteer firefighters has shrunk from 300,000 in the 1970’s to 38,000 in 2018. While numbers continue to decline, the population of Millcreek is 54,073 according to the 2020 Census, the largest township in western Pennsylvania.
In the proposed 2023 budget, the costs of the new firefighters and fire chief will be funded through a Fire Tax that residents will see as a line item in their property taxes. The funds generated will supplement existing LST funds so the tax will be of minimum expense to residents.
Volunteer efforts remain a crucial part of Millcreek firefighting capabilities. Volunteer Fire Departments will continue to hold their annual fund-raising drive which is critical for ensuring a strong volunteer component to the Township’s firefighting capability.
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