Lancaster County officials outline options to change fire-service funding, aim for regional full‑time staffing

Lancaster County fire officials and the Fire Commission discussed proposals to change how the county funds fire apparatus and staffing, with a goal of beginning 24‑hour full‑time coverage in the McDonald Green area in January and considering similar regional staffing in other areas.

County staff described a three‑to‑ten year planning approach that would separate capital and operating funding by service area so that communities receiving the service would help pay for it. The presentation identified a countywide capital request of about $16,600,000 to replace aging apparatus (12 tankers and 5 engines were listed) and noted current apparatus lead times of 36 to 44 months. Staff said one option is to place some apparatus orders now — potentially seven to nine vehicles — even before a final funding structure is set to avoid the long manufacturing lag.

County staff emphasized that the McDonald Green staffing model — approved by county council and scheduled to begin in January — will station six career personnel on three shifts (two personnel per shift, a captain and an engineer)…