East Whiteland supervisors approve one-year Fire/EMS services agreement, authorize ordinance hearing

The East Whiteland Township Board of Supervisors on Sept. 10 approved a one-year Fire/EMS services agreement with the township’s Volunteer Fire Company (VFC) and authorized advertising Ordinance #375-2025 for a public hearing.

Township Manager Steve Brown told the board the existing agreement with the VFC is expiring at the end of the year and that staff issued a required notice of termination within the 180-day window. Brown said a working group of township staff and VFC representatives spent months negotiating terms and presented a draft agreement that staff believes reflects those discussions. The draft contemplates a one-year term with an optional one-year extension and allows amendments as operations evolve.

Chair Scott Lambert noted the agreement can be amended at any time. Vice-Chair Rich Orlow thanked staff and VFC representatives “for working on this agreement and taking the time to work things out,” and moved to approve. Member Peter Fixler seconded the motion, which the board passed unanimously.

Separately, the board approved advertising Ordinance #375-2025, described in the meeting packet as a Fire/EMS department ordinance, to schedule a public hearing. That action also passed on a unanimous voice vote.

What this means: The agreement provides a short-term operational framework while the township and the Volunteer Fire Company continue discussions. The ordinance advertisement initiates a required public process for any potential regulatory changes tied to Fire/EMS operations.

Next steps: The township will publish hearing notices for Ordinance #375-2025 and proceed with the terms of the approved services agreement as written. Any amendments, extensions or formal ordinance actions would require subsequent board action.