Sept. 13--MOUNT CARMEL -- Officials with West End and American Hose and Chemical fire companies are confident the two entities will consolidate, but they aren't committing to a timeframe.
The process, which began about three years ago, has been a complicated one, but work continues to bring the two entities together.
West End, formerly located on North Vine Street, is essentially out of service. Volunteers have been responding to calls along with American Hose members; the liquor license for social quarters is in safekeeping in accordance with the state Liquor Control Board; the company is trying to sell its pumper truck, which has not been used in years, and some West End members have already transferred membership to American Hose.
A consolidated organization would be eligible for an extra $10,000 in federal grants a year for five years, said Joel Hampton, West End's president since May.
"We're looking at short term right now," he said. "We're not quite sure of everything; we're feeling it out."
Not a merger
American Hose has about 20 active volunteer firefighters and West End about 10.
The jointure is not considered a merger because the companies are not dissolving to form a new entity; rather, members of one entity are being absorbed by another.
American Hose President James Reed said American Hose is accepting life members of West End and transferring all memberships.
The problem in the last year has been a "timing" one, Hampton said.
"It's hard to get everyone together," he said.
Social quarters to reopen
Hampton and Reed said they expect the social quarters on the second floor of American Hose, located on South Vine Street, to open within a month. It was closed four years ago due to lack of profits.
Reed said cosmetic updates, such as painting and new ceiling tiles, were completed and that members want to open.
"It needed a good spruce up," he said.
The Tafner connection
The move to consolidate the two companies has been in limbo for more than three years, mainly because of the legal issues American Hose has been faced with since its former ambulance director, Thea Tafner, pleaded guilty to embezzlement of $3.7 million in Medicare payments.
Her actions resulted in the closure of the ambulance portion of the organization and two lawsuits, which are still pending. The organization was sued by Shamokin Area Community Hospital, now merged with Geisinger, and Cornerstone Adminisystems, of Cumberland County, seeking payment for services rendered.
Tafner served approximately 26 months in federal prison and was ordered to pay back $1.8 million. As of Aug. 6, she had paid $91,818.24, which included an $80,000 lump sum and additional monthly payments, and still owes more than $1.7 million, but she's only required to pay $250 per month.
Reed said no new restitution checks have been received by American Hose since Tafner's release from prison Aug. 23.
Legal action has been discussed, but fire company officials may not think it's worth the cost to pursue the legal route if there's a chance the money can't be recovered, Reed said.
As far as the lawsuits, both are at a standstill, he said.
Long-term service
West End was established in 1915, American Hose in 1898. They are two of four fire companies in the Volunteer Fire Department of Mount Carmel, and the borough also has a rescue squad.
Each fire company has one pumper truck. Anthracite Steam Fire Company also has a ladder truck.
The borough allocates approximately $7,000 to the fire companies each year for equipment and building maintenance.
Copyright 2013 - The News-Item, Shamokin, Pa.
