The Department of Community and Economic Development recently conducted a study into the fire departments of Catasauqua and North Catasauqua boroughs.

The results of the study were discussed during the Feb. 20 Catasauqua and North Catasauqua borough council meetings.

According to Catasauqua Fire Chief Richard Hertzog, these efforts began before the COVID-19 pandemic. The original application, which included nine municipalities, was lost in the shuffle and confusion of the pandemic.

When they resubmitted the application, several of the other areas reconsidered the initiative. The new application included Catasauqua, North Catasauqua and Whitehall Township.

The DCED suggested excluding Whitehall since the township expressed interest in exploring having a paid department instead of a volunteer base.

Hertzog reported the North Catasauqua department had a damaged garage door, requiring the need for a temporary home. Catasauqua answered the call, so both departments have been operating out of the same building for some time.

According to Hertzog, this arrangement has decreased the average call time, allowing the firefighters to respond faster.

North Catasauqua Fire Chief Roger Scheirer also agreed response times have improved since the company has been stationed at Catasauqua.

Additionally, the arrangement has allowed the two departments to train together and share personnel or equipment if necessary. Reportedly, a Catasauqua truck failed on a recent call, but the department was able to use one of the North Catasauqua trucks.

Both departments have also been able to take advantage of the increased, shared manpower to better respond to calls.

Hertzog wanted to share the DCED study with council members and discuss next steps.

The study recommended the regionalization of the two fire companies and continued cooperation. Both groups would continue to operate out of the Catasauqua facility.

The study noted the two departments have “shared commonalities in challenges, operations and opportunities” and “a review of run, staffing and response data indicate that this is a successful endeavor.”

The comprehensive study revealed both fire companies had several in-depth issues, including daytime staffing, regional fire protection, recruitment and retention of members and duplication of common fire protection services and equipment.

DCED defines regionalization as “combination of specific assets of two or more organizations, groups or municipalities to accomplish specific objectives and tasks. Each participating company retains its identity.”

Hertzog noted the two departments would continue to act independently and would remain financially separate.

Offseason equipment will be stored at the North Catasauqua facility, but operations will depart from the Catasauqua station as the two companies work together on a united front.

The study included recommendations or operational improvements for the municipalities to review and consider. It also recommended the departments record operational data, such as response time, staffing and training components, into a program. Additional performance benchmarks should be established, according to the study.

Hertzog said it was mentioned during the data collection process that this merger is probably overdue. He and Catasauqua Borough Manager Glenn Eckhart said this move could save the borough money over time as the two departments wouldn’t be duplicating service or equipment in the future.

Hertzog noted he and his North Catasauqua counterpart, Scheirer, both addressed their councils the same night.

“We need to know if we have councils’ blessing to take the next step,” Hertzog said.

After reassurances any decisions made that night would be a low-commitment indication of interest, Catasauqua council members approved a vote of confidence to have additional conversations with North Catasauqua to explore this concept.

North Catasauqua council members also approved moving forward with the initiative.

Contact Hertzog at firechief@catasauqua.org or Scheirer at northcatasauquaema@yahoo.com with any questions.