As Woglom explained in great detail, the level of cooperation between the two fire companies, and with the Commissioners, needs to improve. He suggested monthly meetings between the two fire chiefs, a fire relations committee made up of Commissioners and firefighters, a shared inventory, standardized guidelines at both volunteer companies, as well as monthly joint training that would include members of both departments.
Woglom called Nancy Run and BTVFC "two halves of a whole, not two separate entities." But, noting that the two fire companies are very different, Woglom stopped short of recommending a consolidation. BTVFC, for example, has a very active and financially successful EMS service. In addition, Woglom pointed out that both departments respond to more calls than any other fire departments in the County, even though the annual municipal contributions are among the lowest. Last year, the Township contributed $130,000 to Nancy Run Fire Co., and $295,778 to BYVFC.
Commissioners and volunteer firefighters both welcomed and intend to implement Woglom's report. Tom Nolan commended Woglom for an "excellent job." Martin Zawarski noted that "fire companies can still retain autonomy, but they can see how working together will help both."
Noting that Bethlehem Township's EMS has done a "terrific financial job," Woglom suggested that Commissioners might want to reduce its contribution if the EMS remains successful. "I'm not trying to suggest that they be penalized for being successful," Woglom stressed.
After the meeting, President Paul Weiss indicated that Woglom's specific recommendations will be considered when Commissioners review next year's budget. But he dismissed any suggestion of consolidation. "At the end of the day, if it ain't broke, don't fix it," he said.
Firefighters were happy with the report, too.
"The communication with everybody needs to improve," acknowledged BYVFC Fire Chief Dave Stapinski. Assistant Fire Chief Ron Ford likes the idea of joint training with Nancy Run. "There's always room for improvement," he said.
Bethlehem Townhip Commissioners will meet again on Monday, November 5, 7 PM, at the Municipal Building, located at 4225 Easton Avenue.
ah duh - i hope they didn't pay for this. try using commen sense
ReplyDeleteOf course the report was done for free.
ReplyDeleteJust like everything else.
Where is Captain Communism, What-Am-I-Gettings-From-Big-Government? to yack on about regionalization, nationalization, whatever Marxist policy Obama would best approve of?
Too busy promoting the Universal Basic Income?
Rather surprising he has not weighed in on THIS ...
The township authorized up to $7,000 for the study, and it was mney well spent. Woglom interviewed over 20 people and conducted a detailed analysis of both operations, making detailed recommendations: (1) monthly meetings between the fire chiefs; (2) A fire relations committee that meets monthly and can consider things like joint building, equipment and liability insurance; (3) Internal control audits every 5 years; (4) standardized guidelines at both companies; (5) mandatory joint training to foster trust between the two fire companies; (6) an inventory of both companies so each knows what it has and what the other company has, thereby avoiding duplication; (7) a 5 yr capital improvement plan, reviewed annually by the BOC; (8) IM responding system changes so that each company knows who is responding to a call; (9) Possible reduction or elimination in contribution for EMS ; (10) an administrative structure possible atop the 2 fire companies.
ReplyDeleteMr Weiss, it is broke as the 2 entities can't seem to get along, I'd call that broke and it needs to be fixed!
ReplyDeleteIf it wasn't broken, why spend money for the study?
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, this study is virtually...worthless. If Woglom was really going to do an efficiency study, there is no way he recommends things just remain status quo.
Other than personalities, there is no reason for the Township not to consider consolidating both fire companies into "a" single department.
Save some money, improve some efficiency especially since funding is only going to get tighter.
These two FC's are probably not subject to dissolvement by the township. I'm pretty sure they are totally seperate entities. The township agrees to pay them each a fee for fire service. They are probably both 501c3's. IF Beth. Twsp. wants one department to serve it's citizens..they can chose one or the other or create their own FD like Easton or Allentown. They can also create their own volunteer organization and recognize only those people they chose to be their fire service providers.
ReplyDeleteThe suggestions of Mr. Woglom are sane and rational and make sense on many levels. The State of Pa. is trying to get disparate FC's to combine and share their toys and save money for the areas they serve. Grant $ avail. for this specific purpose. The State will send a fire offical to talk to your vollies..give them a call.
ReplyDeleteThe twsp. may be inadvertantly enabling the situation by funding two FC's. My suggestion..pick one and move on or live with the current situation. Chances are you won't get the cooperation you are seeking. Time to play hard ball..
ReplyDeleteI think the report showed that the Township funds it fire services less than most Township's and Borough's in Lehigh and Northampton Counties. The report almost makes and argument that the Township should pay more and concludes that communication needs to be enchanced. It also calls for an Administrative Consolodation. Hint, Hint, merger.
ReplyDeleteThey are over paying..Bangor FD costs totalled 160K last year for 3 FC's and that includes debt service and workers comp. and everything else that comes in the form of a bill. Beth. Twsp. is getting hosed..
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteHere we go again!
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened to BANGO DAVE and the Fire Department issue? Also what occurred with the Police consolidation?
Just last week in the Pocono Record it was stated that there are only 20% of the amount of volunteers in Pennsylvania that there was in 1977. But also understand that the democrats who run our local governments love to make it bigger so they would love the fire companies to quit so they can get family and friends good paying jobs as union firefighters. All volunteers should tell the gov cronies to go to hell, but that only hurts fellow citizens, that's what the gov morons want so they can just raise taxes and grow another government arm.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I never even thought of that possibility. But it is possible. I still haven't figured out what makes these guys and gals risk their lives for assholes like me,
ReplyDeleteMC story about FD disharmony in Palmerton boro. 2 FC's that can't see the forest for the trees. Ignorance and arrogance. When the tail wags the dog..you got a problem.
ReplyDelete7:35..these are vollies..not paid union firefighters. This is a local gov. issue that can be solved with efficent service to the community being the cornerstone of a partnership between gov. and those who truly want to serve.
ReplyDeleteThe comment about democrats wanting to create union FFer jobs is a bunch of crap.The truth is that most of volunteer fire companies no longer have enough volunteers to cover calls. Volunteer fire companies used to go on automatic mutual-aid only during the day when most people work. Now some are going automatic mutual-aid even at night. The local politicians know there isn't enough coverage but won't go the paid route becaue they don't want to raise taxes.And why can volunteer fire companies get low-interest loans from the state but a paid comnpany is denied.The money comes from the state coffers, funded by all tax payers. And finally,wasn't one of the Bethlehem Twsp fire companies once home to a volunteer fire fighter who once went to jail for arson, and then came back to serve on the fire company?
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting theory, but I suspect the real problem is that people no longer like to volunteer, and who can blame them?
ReplyDeleteI say the EASTON SCHOOL DISTRICT could stand a little audit like this from the college too. As a matter of fact ,the college should be in right now as mentors to the board and deal with HOW TO properly educate .
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately..Pa. law makes sch. district's answerable to just about no one. They are an entity with carte blanche power to do as they please. They would tell the college to go scratch. The whole thing is in need of an overhaul but nobody has the guts to take it on.
ReplyDeleteWe all do what we can and are motivated to do. I would never blame anyone for not being involved and volunteering in the community. The flip side is..don't complain if you choose not to be a part of a community effort. If you truly want to improve life..get out there and do something about it.
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