Lower Moreland starts process to name merged fire/EMS entity; residents urge clear financial plan

Vice President and Public Safety chair Joseph Canali told the Board of Commissioners on July 9 that staff and fire leadership have been working for years toward a more sustainable emergency services model and that the township plans Station 19 to be active Jan. 1, 2025. Canali said the proposal would not immediately dissolve Huntington Valley or Beran volunteer fire companies but that a single entity name could “be used as a catalyst” for further consolidation and planning. He said a subcommittee will be formed with two officials from each fire company, two municipal managers, two municipal appointees and two commissioners (Dennis Mueller and Canali) to recommend a name and approach for implementation.

Canali reviewed the background studies and timeline behind the effort, citing past work recommending consolidation and noting staffing pressures on volunteer departments. Chief Showmaker said the new tower ladder truck is in production and that staff will distribute a draft emergency services analysis to the emergency services committee after internal review. Showmaker and staff estimated final financial recommendations and implementation steps would be available after committee review.

Public commenters pressed for clearer financial detail. Resident Chuck McDale asked what tax dollars or contributions from Beran would be required and urged the board to “have a financial plan first and present it to the taxpayers” before changing names or hardware. Kristen Krauss said the board should engage the whole community and recognize Huntington Valley Fire Company’s 113-year history, and urged more outreach so residents know the implications of the proposal. Lock Brown, who identified himself as president of the Beran Fire Company, described daytime response shortfalls and said the model “is not sustainable,” arguing a merged model with data-driven cost estimates could provide better coverage for both communities.

Commissioners and staff described transition logistics. They said gear and vehicle markings would be converted “as soon as practically possible” and when the budget allows; ID tags that accompany personnel and truck-based tags would remain in use during any transition to reduce confusion. Canali said the township will aim to budget for equipment and rebranding in the next cycle, with a January implementation target for the initial phase. He clarified there was no vote on a name at the meeting and that the subcommittee would return with recommendations.

The board did not adopt any final changes at the meeting. The immediate next steps are formation of the subcommittee and distribution of the draft emergency services analysis to the committee for review; the board expects additional public outreach and a budget discussion before any equipment rebranding or formal consolidation steps.