Council approves volunteer appointments for Mill Hall area fire coverage

Lock Haven City Council approved appointments to support fire coverage in the Mill Hall/Veil Hill area, accepting recommendations from the Fire Advisory Board.

The advisory board recommended Sean Plector as district chief and William Parker as captain for the newly formed coverage area. Council members debated whether creating a separate district chief position risked duplicating ranks and whether volunteers would be available to staff an engine and respond reliably. Fire staff and the advisory board emphasized that the positions are volunteer roles, that several members live in the Mill Hall area and that relief-driver compensation and overtime were accounted for in the budget model.

One council member said the appointments were necessary because Mill Hall declined to certify its own department and the borough needed assurance of coverage. Another councilor urged caution about adding positions that duplicate existing command structures. After discussion and clarification from staff about how relief drivers and dispatching would be managed, the council voted to approve the appointments.

Staff said the appointments will take effect Jan. 1 with the new intermunicipal arrangement and that the city will provide the administrative support for volunteer roles as described in the recommendation.