Big Beaver, PA, Fire Department Gives Notice to Elected Officials
For the past 68 years, Big Beaver Borough firefighters have served their community.
But, that will be coming to an end on Dec. 31, unless borough officials start paying for it.
"...The reality is our volunteers are aging out, and our recruitment and retentin has been increasingly difficult," fire department leaders wrote in a letter posted on the department's Facebook page.
Fire Chief Matt Straub told KDKA: "We used to have a waiting list back in the day for people to be members here, and those times are gone. The people that are here now, we're here because we feel obligated. If we all walk away, who's going to do it? And unfortunately, that's what we're looking at now, and it breaks our heart. We don't have the manpower. We can't do it safely or efficiently."
In May, residents spoke of the need to pay for fire service and even agreed to a tax increase to make it happen.
On Oct. 25, the council nixed a proposal to hire only one fire administrator and to provide a timeline for paying part-time firefighters.
"Hundreds and hundreds of manhours we spent on this, and for them to vote 'no' is just a slap in the face," the fire chief said.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.