LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. --
Four fire departments in Lancaster County are merging to form one regional department.
Highville, Millersville, Washington Borough and West Lancaster have merged their fire departments to form Blue Rock Fire Rescue.
The fire company will have 130 volunteers.
Officials said merging into one large department will help them focus on firefighting instead of fundraising.
"They're able to use that time to better serve the public and be better prepared in times of emergencies," Duane Hagelgans, Blue Rock Fire Rescue Commissioner, said.
Manor Township and Millersville Borough currently donate to the four departments. In the future, that funding will be part of each municipality's budget.
The townships don't expect major changes in the amount they pay.
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