West End Fire Company No. 1 issues public statement about its future
Dear Residents of West Pottsgrove Township:
We wanted to reach out to the community to explain to you what is going on with the Fire Department and help you understand the most recent events. We acknowledge that this should have been done sooner and apologize for the delay. As some of you may or may not be aware, much to our disappointment, West Pottsgrove Township has suspended fire services with West End for operating in any practical way as a provider of life-saving or emergency service in our township and mutual aid for surrounding townships.
As you also may be aware, the Township has signed a 15-month contract with Pottstown, which we commend and appreciate Pottstown
for helping our community at this time, although at a price of $89,525, plus pay 11.5% to cover Workers’ Compensation and health insurance, and additional umbrella insurance.
Please understand that West End Fire Company is not an entity of the Township, but its own Non-Profit Company that received funding from the township for providing such firefighting and emergency services in the township. We also received funding from Douglas Township for providing these services to them as well. At this time, Douglas Township has decided that they will honor West Pottsgrove’s decision and have suspended our services for their township. Please know that it is our goal that we return to providing this service for the community.
It was incredibly difficult for our firefighters/fire police to not be able to continue doing what they love with West End and for the community of West Pottsgrove. We have a group of great firefighters, fire police, junior firefighters. With the suspension and the insurance coverages not being extended to us at this time, these extraordinary individuals cannot provide emergency services but also cannot attend any continuing education. With the recent storm, Ida, that came through our area, it was painful for not only them but the community that they were not available to help. It is an eerie feeling not hearing the fire whistle in our community.
We acknowledge that there have been issues within the department for quite a few years, from infighting, theft, debt accrued, and tension with the Township. So while we are disappointed in the decision of the Township, we are working diligently to remedy these issues with the help of a steering committee comprised of community and business members. In order to survive and return to active duty as the provider of emergency services in West Pottsgrove Township, we are asking for the community’s help. Since West End is a Non-Profit company, we survive on grants, funding from the Township, and donations. As such, we have sought the help of legal
counsel to help map out a path to bring our fire department to operational status and continue to serve our community.
So we, West End Fire Company No. 1, are asking that, if it is in your hearts and you want to see the West End return to active duty in our community, please get involved, speak out, attend township meetings, raise awareness, volunteer to help with fundraising and, if you can, donate. Until there is nothing left, we are dedicated
to getting West End Fire Company No. 1 back to providing emergency/lifesaving services to the residents of West Pottsgrove Township.
We are in the planning stages for a community meeting. The date for this meeting will be announced in the near future. We welcome all residents of West Pottsgrove Township to attend.
Thank you,