Jan. 24--Bernville Community Fire Company and Mount Pleasant Fire Company opened talks Wednesday about the possibility of merging or consolidating.
Officials and members of the two companies met at Bernville's firehouse where they were joined by Daniel R. Brady, a fire department consolidation adviser for Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development.
The proposed merger was first suggested by Mount Pleasant Deputy Fire Chief Rich Burkey to Bernville firefighters in October. According to fire officials, a merger might work for both companies, even though their needs differ.
"They (Mount Pleasant) are looking for something different than we are," said Eric H. Troutman Jr., Bernville's fire chief. "We're looking for sustainability, to retain volunteers and trying to avoid paid positions as long as possible and be able to do it on our own, so to speak, with the funding from the municipality, which is very little."
For Mount Pleasant, Burkey said, a merger could increase manpower, create the opportunity to cross-train firefighters and reduce combined equipment costs.
Bernville Police Chief Brian E. Thumm also attended the meeting and promoted the benefits the merger would have for area residents.
"I don't have a chip in this game, but ultimately I think the reason you guys should be looking at merging is because of the better service you will be providing to the community," Thumm said. "I hear about Mount Pleasant being sent (to a fire) and driving right past Bernville. That's silly, that's crazy."
Brady advised the two companies to look into the issue and ask other companies around the state that have gone through mergers and consolidations about the benefits and downsides of such a move.
Answering questions from a round table of firefighters, members of the community and community officials, Brady also touted the benefits of merger or consolidation. He said DCED would be able to financially assist the new fire company by investing up to $50,000 in matching municipal assistant program grants and providing access to low-interest loans.
The meeting ended with representatives of both companies agreeing to talk to volunteers and residents about the proposed merger or consolidation and compare notes at a meeting in February.
Contact Anthony Orozco: 610-371-5015 or [email protected].
Copyright 2013 - Reading Eagle, Pa.
