Volunteer fire companies across the country are noticing a marked decrease in community volunteers while experiencing an increase in operating expenses and call volume.

More than 90 percent of Pennsylvania’s nearly 2,400 fire departments are volunteer which saves Pennsylvania taxpayers an estimated $10 billion each year.

There were approximately 300,000 volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania in the 1970s compared to less than 38,000 at this time.

Weisenberg Township is facing the same trend.

As a result, township supervisors have decided to establish a fire tax starting in 2020 to provide stable financial assistance to the Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department.

Supervisors recognize the importance of supporting the volunteer fire department.

They also recognize the township’s expenses are increasing as well.

The township has always been the fire department’s largest contributor and was able to provide financial support by diverting funds away from the public works equipment fund and contributing much of the transfer tax revenue received from the sale of warehouses along I-78 for construction of the fire station and the purchase of fire equipment.

This is no longer feasible as the industrial parks are nearly built out and additional revenue from the sale of the buildings has slowed.

As is the case with fire department expenses, township road equipment and infrastructure maintenance costs continue to rise.

Having a stable funding source will allow the fire department to maintain its high level of emergency response service that the community has grown to expect.

It also means the township can assure volunteers have the resources to keep them as safe as possible.

The separate fire tax will allow the township to focus its tax revenues on road maintenance and equipment replacement as was originally intended.

A well-trained and well-equipped fire department has resulted in an improved Insurance Services Offices rating for Weisenberg Township which equates to lower insurance premiums for property owners.

The township will establish a .44 mil fire tax in order to decrease the burden placed on volunteer firefighters and allow them to focus more on training and serving the community.

Approximately one-third of the tax revenue will be used to cover the majority of the fire department’s operating expenses as well as support the volunteer firefighter retention program.

The remaining revenue will be put into a capital savings plan to support future apparatus purchases, equipment replacements and upgrades, station repairs, etc.

The fire department’s supporting membership will continue to run various fundraisers such as hoagie sales and the department’s yearly fund drive which solicits tax deductible contributions.

The department will also continue applying for state and federal grants to offset expenses.

The .44 mil fire tax will be included as a line item on residents’ yearly local real estate tax bill which is mailed every spring.

The cost per property owner will vary depending on how much the property is assessed.

The .44 mil rate equals $44 for every $100,000 of assessed value.

For example:

·The owner of an 18-acre vacant farmland with a taxable assessed value of $14,800 would pay an additional $6.51 with the new fire tax;

·The owner of a 2- to 3-bedroom home on 1 acre with a taxable assessed value of $175,000 would pay an additional $77 with the new fire tax;

· The owner of a 4- to 5-bedroom home on 1 acre with a taxable assessed value of $290,000 would pay an additional $127.60 with the new fire tax;

-A commercial business with a taxable assessed value of $1,250,000 would pay an additional $550 with the new fire tax; and

·A large commercial warehouse with a taxable assessed value of $44,766,400 would pay an additional $19,697.22 with the new fire tax.

While this revenue will ensure that the volunteer fire department can purchase the necessary equipment and cover its operating expenses, community members will still be needed to volunteer their time.

Weisenberg Township has approximately 5,000 residents but only about 30 residents volunteer as firefighters and about 20 volunteer as supporting members.

The community is very fortunate to have this many dedicated volunteers as many of our surrounding fire departments have much fewer.

However, many of the volunteers have hectic jobs and various other commitments; and many also have children who are involved in multiple activities.

The more volunteers the fire department has, the easier it is for everyone.

Training is provided at no cost and there is no minimum required time commitment.

All equipment is provided at no cost and various incentives are available.

Junior firefighters can join at age 14 and no one is ever too old.

There are many tasks to perform at a volunteer fire department including firefighting, community education, equipment and building maintenance, general housekeeping, fundraising, etc.

For more information, call Weisenberg Township at 610-285-6660, or visit weisenbergtownship.org or weisenbergfire.com.

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Editor’s note: Brian Carl is the Weisenberg Township administrator and the soon-to-be former fire chief of the township volunteer fire company.