Warminster Township’s Commitment to Fire Safety
In March of 2021, Warminster Township Interim Township Manager William McCauley drafted a Fire Services Agreement for Warminster Township and two volunteer fire companies (Warminster Fire Department and Hartsville Fire Company) to execute. The agreement (copy attached) called for Warminster Township to hire five full time paid firefighters. The two fire companies rejected this agreement. Had they approved it, Warminster Township would now have a paid fire department to work with the two volunteer fire companies with a sharing of resources fully funded by Warminster Township. Due to management turnover and financial concerns related to the Covid-19 pandemic, Warminster Township had to re-evaluate its options.
In 2022, as several municipalities in the Philadelphia suburbs have done, Warminster Township was ready to adopt an ordinance that would provide for municipal tax refunds for men and women who could volunteer for firefighting duty during the work week. This idea was rejected by the two fire companies as insufficient.
Now in 2023 Warminster Township is committed to hiring a deputy for our Fire Marshal / Emergency Management Services Director who will be fully qualified and be able to answer calls for fire and medical assistance during the business day to augment the volunteer coverage. Additionally, we are discussing firefighting assistance with Ivyland Borough to contribute during the business week when volunteer time is less available, for both municipalities. Warminster Township will directly bear the costs of outfitting and equipping any new volunteer that can be available during the business day for Hartsville Fire Company and Warminster Fire Department.
Despite the negative claims from the two volunteer fire companies, who have spent the last two years complaining to the Township’s elected officials instead of working together on a solution, Warminster Township remains committed to both public safety and financial stability on behalf of the residents and general public.