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Fire chief warns of aging equipment, assembly adds $1,000 volunteer retention request
Summary
Fire Chief Zach told the assembly the department faces large equipment and maintenance costs—an aging frontline engine from 1992, expiring helmets and costly turnout gear—and staff requested a $1,000 line for volunteer recruitment and retention while pursuing grant support for vehicle replacement.
Fire Chief Zach told the assembly the borough’s emergency services are facing rising equipment and maintenance costs and stressed the importance of volunteer recruitment and training. “Our frontline fire truck… is over 30 years old,” Zach said, noting the engine is a 1992 model and that the fleet’s age drives maintenance and vehicle-expense increases.
Zach described large replacements and testing needs for hoses, nozzles and turnout gear, and said helmets have a 10-year life per NFPA standards. The department is budgeting to rotate gear in over several years rather than replace everything in a single year; turnout gear replacement can cost thousands of dollars and two sets of Nomex suits were cited as roughly $7,000.
Staff and the assembly also discussed an amendment request to create a $1,000 line item for volunteer retention and recruitment. Zach reported the borough has about 32–35 volunteers but said many senior volunteers are stepping back; he emphasized training, a planned firefighter-1 academy and a junior firefighter initiative for 16– and 18-year-olds with parental consent as ways to rebuild capacity.
On vehicles, staff noted vehicle expenses increased about 50% to reflect maintenance on aging apparatus and that a brand-new fire truck currently costs more than $1 million; the borough said it plans to apply for a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant to help fund a replacement.
No formal action was taken at the workshop; staff asked the assembly for direction on funding priorities and to consider grant applications and budget amendments.
