Donations Down in Pennsylvania

The cash problem may cause the fire department to chose equipment or apparatus.

March 13, 2006

Donations to the Lancaster Township Fire Company are falling, and fire company officials say it could affect safety.

Fire Chief Glenn Usdin said the fire company collected $95,000 in donations last year. That's down a few thousand dollars from the previous year. Usdin said if donations continue to drop, it will be harder to replace equipment.

"We have to make life-and-death decisions. Which piece of equipment that might break do we not replace? Which turnout coat that protects firefighter safety do we not replace?" Usdin said.

Usdin said he has spoken with township supervisors about a possible fire tax, but nothing has been decided.