Two fire departments in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, are merging to form a new entity called Iron Ridge Fire Rescue. The Mountville Fire Company and West Hempfield Fire and Rescue will combine their resources, with the merger set to take effect in April. The decision follows recent votes by members of both volunteer fire companies, who believe the move will enhance public safety in the community.
According to their FB page, the merger will allow the departments to share a unified funding structure, collective bargaining for equipment, and joint staffing for both stations. Peter Taraborelli, spokesperson for Mountville Fire, stated that administrative aspects of the merger would begin on January 1, with completion expected by early April.
The merger comes amid declining volunteerism and rising costs in the fire service industry. A 2018 report by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives highlighted a significant drop in volunteer firefighters statewide over the past 40 years. Taraborelli noted that this merger is a way to continue the tradition of volunteerism in the fire service for a little longer.
The new department will continue to operate from the existing stations on Marietta Avenue and North Lemon Street. Although the fire apparatus will retain their original lettering due to cost constraints, West Hempfield Fire and Rescue has a new vehicle with Iron Ridge Fire Rescue branding. The merger is not expected to impact mutual aid services or response times.
Mountville Borough and West Hempfield Township officials have expressed support for the merger. Mountville Borough Council President Philip Kresge said, "The merger offers us a chance to be protected." The merger aims to streamline operations, allowing volunteers to focus on a single grant application and combining fire relief associations into one entity.