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Montgomery Township board authorizes manager to seek consultant for proposed transition to paid 24/7 fire staffing
Summary
After weeks of discussion and public comment, the board voted to authorize staff to solicit consultant proposals and directed the chief to prepare a budget assuming new hires to transition toward expanded career fire staffing. Residents and volunteer firefighters were sharply divided over urgency vs. a third-party study.
Montgomery Township supervisors voted to authorize the township manager to solicit proposals from independent consultants to assess a proposed expansion of the township’s fire services and to proceed with budget preparations as if additional paid hires will be included.
The move follows weeks of debate and a lengthy public-comment period in which residents and volunteer firefighters urged both caution and urgency. Resident Eric Pelletier said the proposal’s goal—improving response times and safety—was sound but argued: "I fully I fully support that township needs, fire protection and safety." Volunteer Lieutenant Rachel Bridal, who said she often arrives on calls understaffed, told the board: "I am begging you to please consider…
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