Fire Services Update

Due to the continued growth occurring in South Strabane Township, it is the goal of the Board of Supervisors to enhance fire and emergency medical services in the Township by providing 24/7 coverage.

Click Here for Frequently Asked Question about Fire Service in South Strabane Township

Providing Fire and EMS Services

Pursuant to the Second Class Township Code of Pennsylvania (Section 1553. Emergency Services), the Township shall be responsible for ensuring fire and emergency medical services ("EMS") are provided within the Township by the means and to the extent determined by the Township, including the appropriate financial and administrative assistance for these services.  Although South Strabane has provided fire and EMS services for some time, it is the goal of the Board of Supervisors to provide residents and businesses with 24/7 fire and EMS coverage continuing in its tradition of a combination career-volunteer department.  Additionally, the Township will work overtime to meet an acceptable Standard of Cover consistent with the standards set by the National Fire Protection Association ("NFPA").   

Strong History of Service

South Strabane has depended upon the services performed by the South Strabane Volunteer Fire Department ("VFD") for the past 65 years.  At one time services were provided by two separate departments operating from the Pancake and Oak Spring fire stations.  In 1998, the Township hired four paid firefighters, including a Fire Chief, to begin to support and supplement the services provided by both VFDs.  In 2005 the two departments merged and the Township revised its agreement to provide services with what we know today as the South Strabane VFD. 

Current Service Levels

Fire and EMS services in the Township are accomplished with a combination model consisting of volunteer and career firefighters. Currently, the career Fire Department consists of 9 members working in concert with 12 active members of the VFD. The Township contracts for fire services through an agreement with the VFD.  This also includes the use and operation of the Pancake and Oak Spring Fire Stations (commonly referred to as Station #1 and Station #2, respectively), as well as various vehicles, equipment and apparatus.  Currently, coverage is provided by career staff Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Coverage at this time may also include members of the VFD.  Because the majority of calls for service occur during the week, the Township does not dedicate staff coverage on Saturday or Sunday.  Weekend coverage is supplemented by volunteer firefighters.  In addition, career staff do provide a "call back" response during non-staffed hours.  

Fire services are those that protect life and property from the damage, destruction and ultimate loss caused by fire. This ranges from firefighting to fire rescue to fire prevention performed through education, regulation and inspection. 

EMS is a system of coordinated response and emergency medical care, involving multiple people and agencies. The Township's role in the "system" is to provide pre-hospital services.  This includes serving as a first-responder and being properly trained and equipped to provide Quick Response Service ("QRS"), some of which include first aid, AED/CPR and stabilization prior to the arrival of an ambulance.  As a state-licensed QRS provider, the Department undergoes inspection, licensure requirements and training, as required by the PA Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, to meet the minimum qualifications of a pre-hospital practitioner.  Response is also provided through automatic aid for priority dispatch, which is when a person is unresponsive and not breathing, as part of the Township's role in the overall EMS response.

More information on the Fire Department and fire and EMS services is available by visiting the Fire Department section of the website and the documents attached at the end of this page. 

Challenges to the Volunteer Model of Fire & EMS Services 

According to a report published in 2018, the Pennsylvania Senate Resolution 6 Report, there has been a significant decrease in the levels of volunteer firefighters with approximately 300,000 volunteers in the 1970s to just 38,000 in 2018.  This is the result of changes in society (time, work, family commitment, etc.) that challenge the volunteer model of fire and EMS.  South Strabane is no different with having 41 volunteers in 2003 to now only 12 members.  This challenge is also evident in funding for VFDs.  The Township continues to dedicate ever-increasing human and financial resources to supplement our VFD with the Township's monetary contribution making up 40% of the VFD's revenues as of 2018.  Additionally, $178,000 of the 2021 Fire Department budget is dedicated to supporting the VFD and $937,000 for the career Fire Department resulting in $1.12 million in 2021. 

The Township recognizes the challenges of fire and EMS services and understands to ensure the continuity of emergency services using a combination department both supporting the VFD and growing our career Fire Department is an essential core service.

Future Service Levels

As a result of the growth of the Township over the past 20 years, in addition to that which is coming in the future, it is the goal of the Board of Supervisors to have the Fire Department provide 24/7 fire and EMS services to the community using a combination Fire Department comprised of both career and volunteer firefighters.  To accomplish this the Township must prepare to strategically (listed in no particular order):

• Grow the Fire Department through the hiring of career firefighters and recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters;
• Develop and Monitor a Standard of Response Cover acceptable to the community's expectations as determined by the Board of Supervisors;
• Collaborate with the VFD Board of Directors and leadership to ensure succession planning for operational assets (equipment, vehicles, stations, etc.);
• Ensure both volunteer and career firefighters are properly trained and have the same professional credentials and certifications;
• Plan for the continued maintenance and measured expansion of facilities and equipment;
• Review, update, and enhance governance structures, policies and unity of command to enhance operations and decision making and provide a safe environment for firefighters; and
• Partner with surrounding jurisdictions to enhance coverage and aid, gain economies of scale in purchasing, and enhance knowledge, skills and abilities, not to mention camaraderie, by training together.  

Growing the Department

SAFER Program  To grow the Fire Department, significant financial resources will be needed over time to attract and retain career firefighters.  The Township has applied for a grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency ("FEMA") for funding to hire five additional firefighters. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Program ("SAFER") would award 100% funding of nearly $1 million over a 3-year period. If awarded, the Township would be required to retain the five positions well after the funding term. Should the Township not receive the grant, the hiring of additional firefighters will take more time; however, it will continue seeking funding to support this initiative.

Volunteer Recruitment  The South Strabane Volunteer Fire Department is always looking for members. More information on responsibilities and a link to the application are available here.  We encourage anyone interested in serving their community in a significant capacity to apply for membership. Should you have questions regarding the responsibilities associated with being a volunteer firefighter or on the application process, please feel free to reach out to Fire Chief Scott Reese (724-225-9055). 

Planning for Services

Fire Rescue Apparatus Purchase  At its meeting on July 27, 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of a fire rescue truck from the Village of Falconer, New York, in an amount not to exceed $130,000 ($60,000 for the truck and $70,000 for upfit and equipment). This acquisition is the first step to build upon the career Fire Department and ensure fire and EMS service levels are maintained. Additionally, it will contribute towards the ultimate goal of providing 24/7 coverage in the Township.

Partnering

Central Washington County Fire Regionalization Study  In 2018, seven agencies engaged the PA Department of Community and Economic Development to explore furthering partnerships and possible options for rationalization of fire services in central Washington County. The agencies involved included:

• South Strabane Township
• South Strabane Volunteer Fire Department
• Chartiers Township
• Chartiers Volunteer Fire Department
• North Franklin Township
• North Franklin Volunteer Fire Department
• City of Washington

This process concluded in August 2021 (delays due to COVID-19 complications) with a report titled, Central Washington County Fire Regionalization Study, which is available below for reference.  In summary, it will be incumbent on neighboring fire departments to begin to work together to ensure fire and EMS services are maintained at an acceptable level.  

Monitoring Response and Performance

Response Statistics  Coming Soon