West Point Volunteer Fire Company in Hempfield will remain on probation through the end of January as retention and recruitment issues persist, township supervisors said.
West Point has been on probation for almost six months as the company struggles with low response rates and a dwindling number of volunteer firefighters — issues experienced by stations across the country. Supervisors are hopeful the extension will give West Point time to improve problems with staffing and other issues identified by the board.
“This has been a long time coming,” said George Reese, supervisors chairman. “This all started back in June, and then we gave them a second extension. We’re concerned about it. We want to do everything we can to help resolve the issues out there. Ball’s in their court at this point.”
West Point president Jessie Zemba said the situation has started to improve.
“We’re doing good. … We have a new social member and a new active one that’s trying to join right now,” Zemba said. “It seems we’re making more calls and stuff.”
Township supervisors have approved the application for a senior firefighter at the West Point station.
“We’re getting our training in that they want, our reports done that they want and gaining members as time’s going on,” Zemba said.
Supervisors placed the station on probation in late June after three members, including the fire chief, resigned or transferred, leaving the station with 16 active and social members. The severity of the situation was highlighted in October when the station, aside from one member, did not respond to a fire in the West Point neighborhood.
In all, the station responded to 11 out of 137 calls for service between July and November, township officials said.
According to township fire Chief Tony Kovacic efforts will be made during the extension period to continue resolving staffing issues by utilizing a new retention program that will be rolled out next year. The township-wide program will work to bolster responses from volunteers while avoiding hiring a paid firefighter.
Reese said supervisors will revisit the topic during their January meetings.
“We’ll be looking to hear what the fire chief has to say, if there’s been any progress on some of the issues that concern the entire board,” Reese said. “It’s going to be a discussion.”
