March 11 -- WILMORE -- Wilmore Borough Council and the Wilmore Volunteer Fire Company agreed to a plan that would keep the fire company operating in the borough if certain guidelines are met.
Council, in an attempt to control its sharply rising workers' compensation costs, agreed to give the fire company until June 1 to implement measures to control those costs.
The measures include training and physical examinations.
The fire company also is being asked to present updates every 30 days on its effort to meet those goals.
If the measures are not ready to be implemented by June 1, council would start looking for fire protection elsewhere.
Council President Lori Schrift said council would like to keep the fire company operating?in the borough, but that the fire company must understand that this is a serious issue.
"We want you (firefighters) to understand that as always, we will work with the fire department," she said.
If you want to be a successful fire company, the borough will help you, she said.
The matter came to the forefront when a firefighter was injured during an emergency. The workers' compensation claim for that accident more than doubled the small borough's insurance premiums. That's why the borough wants to be sure the fire company is providing enough safeguards.
Bryan Shuagis, fire company president, said the fire company wants to continue serving the borough.
"We will work with them (council)," he said.?"We are here for our community.
"We are up for the challenge."
In other matters, David Balon was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Michael Eggie, who resigned shortly after starting his four-year term this year.
"It's a privilege to serve on council," he said. "I hope to make a difference."
Councilman Paul Schrift was appointed to replace Eggie as emergency management coordinator.
Frank Sojak is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/FrankNews10.
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