Pa. Towns Help Pay Worker's Comp For Boro Fire Dept. in Chambersburg

Jan. 28--CHAMBERSBURG -- The townships that rely upon Franklin Fire Company for protection now share the cost of worker's compensation for its firefighters.

In a new agreement, that cost has been shifted from the Borough of Chambersburg to the townships.

Chambersburg Borough Council approved the agreement on Dec. 10 with the condition the townships -- Hamilton, Greene, Guilford and Letterkenny -- accept the proposal as well. All four townships have since signed the agreement.

The borough will no long pay any costs associated with worker's compensation of the Franklin Fire Company, said Borough Manager Jeffrey Stonehill. The borough will have no future liability for accidents that may occur with the fire company.

"The townships will pay together 100 percent of the costs of a stand-alone insurance policy to be purchased," he said. "The borough's fund will no longer be responsible for those claims."

Franklin Fire Company claims used to be paid by the borough through its Emergency Services Department, Stonehill said.

"Over time, it will improve the (financial) outlook for the Emergency Services Department," Stonehill said.

The four townships do not have their own fire companies. Instead, they rely upon surrounding volunteer fire departments, like the borough-based Franklin Fire Company, for fire protection.

Franklin Fire Company officials approved the agreement in December. Chief Mark Trace could not be reached for

comment.

The agreement states that the Franklin Fire Company will obtain workman's compensation insurance for its members in Franklin's name. The policy will be funded by the four townships proportional to their 2010 census data.

Greene Township will pay 31.8 percent, Guilford will pay 12.1 percent, Hamilton will pay for 52.9 percent, and Letterkenny will pay for 3.2 percent.

Greg Cook, Guilford Township supervisor, said the township has no objection to the agreement. It has a similar agreement with the Borough of Mont Alto for response by the Mont Alto Volunteer Fire Company.

"This was a very fair way of handling the issue," Cook said. "Another thing I feel is very important is we local governments do work together."

Hamilton Township Supervisor Mike Kessler said, "Everybody was in agreement with what was in the agreement and the amount to be paid for workman's comp for the Franklins."

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Samantha Cossick can be reached at [email protected] and 262-4762.