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Franklin Park fire chief urges volunteers as call volume and costs rise
Summary
The chief of the Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Company told the borough working session the department answered 347 calls last year, cited rising maintenance and replacement costs (including a ladder truck due for heavy work within two years) and urged more community outreach and volunteers.
The chief of the Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Company told borough council members at the March working session that the volunteer department handled 347 calls last year — the second-highest total in its records — and is feeling pressure from rising maintenance costs and false alarms.
"We answered a total of 347 calls," the chief said, adding that the department recorded 28 incidents last year where flame or smoke was visible. He said last April’s storm produced 18–19 calls in a four‑hour period.
Why it matters: The department is largely funded by donations and relies on volunteers. Council members and fire-company leaders warned that escalating equipment and maintenance prices and frequent false alarms are straining the volunteer force and the budget.
Council and volunteers said rising parts and service prices make long-term planning harder. The chief described examples of tire and maintenance-cost increases over several years and told the council the company may need significant repairs to its ladder truck within two years if it fails an upcoming test.
Volunteers described recruitment and training challenges and how the borough can help. Jim Nickle, a 24‑year member, said training requirements have increased since he joined — from about 90 hours to roughly 190 hours for new firefighters — and the company recently lowered its junior‑member age to 14 to align with a local high‑school program.
"We lowered our junior age down to 14 to coincide with the North Allegheny program," Nickle said, adding that the department wants to expand outreach so residents know the company is volunteer-run and how to join.
Fundraising and outreach: The chief said fundraising brought in about $109,000 last year, representing roughly a 19% donor response rate from the borough’s roughly 5,700 addresses; the company added a QR code to its appeal letter and saw a measurable increase in online donations.
The volunteers invited council to the company’s annual dinner on April 25, and outlined community events — including a 'firefighter for a day' program and festival booths — where the borough could promote volunteering and donation opportunities.
What happens next: Volunteers asked council to help publicize recruitment and to consider outreach partnerships; council members said staff can circulate materials and explore digital outreach to amplify the company’s recruitment drive.
