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Officials warn East Cocalico’s volunteer fire departments face shortages and rising equipment costs
Summary
Township officials and fire chiefs told supervisors they face declining volunteer numbers, aging apparatus and large near‑term equipment costs — including portable and mobile radio replacements estimated in the low hundreds of thousands — and urged continued talks about shared apparatus and volunteer incentives.
During new business the board heard a consolidated update from local fire chiefs and township staff about regional volunteer fire services. Officials said a recent meeting of six area departments highlighted three central concerns: declining volunteer ranks (average responder ages near 40–55), aging apparatus that can cost more than $1 million to replace, and immediate equipment needs including radio replacements.
The police chief, who delivered the report and facilitated the chiefs’ meeting, estimated the volunteer fire departments save the township "probably 9 to 10 million a year" in operating costs compared with fully paid staffing models and warned of equipment replacement needs. He said the departments face a near‑term expense for updated portable and mobile radios — roughly 60 portable units at about $4,000 each and 14 mobile units at about $3,000 each — and described the sum as a significant upcoming cost for departments.
Fire leaders discussed options including coordinated apparatus sharing between neighboring companies, greater engagement with schools to recruit younger volunteers, revisiting tax‑rebate incentives for volunteers and exploring authorities or shared governance structures for first‑responder services. Several supervisors said consolidation and shared assets could reduce long‑term costs but noted sensitivity to local identity and pride in volunteer companies.
The board did not adopt a single policy at the meeting but encouraged continued meetings among chiefs and staff and signaled that the 2025 budget process will consider how the township can support volunteer departments given anticipated equipment and training costs.
