Pennsylvania DCED Helps to Merge Two Northampton County Fire Companies to Improve Service, Reduce Costs

News provided by

Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

May 22, 2012, 11:15 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With technical assistance from state government, the Se-Wy-Co and Leithsville fire companies in Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County will consolidate operations by June to improve services and deliver cost savings.

"The costs of providing essential fire and emergency services are rising," said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker. "The consolidation of these two companies will result in safer communities with stronger unified coverage at a reduced cost for the local municipality."

The unified company, which will be called the Se-Wy-Co Fire Company, will receive unified training and operational procedures to better serve the township. It will also provide mutual aid to nearby communities in Northampton, Lehigh and Bucks counties. Members of the steering committee have worked with the Northampton County 911 Center and the companies are now dispatched jointly, even before the merger fully takes effect.

"We'll be consolidating apparatus and equipment, training as a single department and meeting as a single department," said Se-Wy-Co Fire Company Chief Thomas Barndt. "With support from DCED, the merger efforts went easier than expected."

After combining vehicles and equipment inventories, the new company will have a total of seven available apparatus for service. This merger will eliminate four pieces of apparatus from the township's current capital replacement schedule, saving more than $50,000 in the short-term and generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in long-term savings. Additionally, with a total of 30 volunteers, Se-Wy-Co will have a more coordinated operation that will efficiently respond to calls.

"The residents of the township won't see any difference in terms of response as a result of the new relationship," said Se-Wy-Co Fire Company President Sal Ghazi. "Both fire stations will remain open and firefighters will report to the station closest to their home."

The Governor's Center for Local Government Services (GCLGS), housed within DCED, aided with the merger. GCLGS provides technical resources and assistance for companies considering merger, consolidation, regional efforts and also serves as a resource for local government officials, developers, and citizens interested in planning to improve, grow and enhance communities.

To learn more about the GCLGS and other DCED programs, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media Contact: Edward Jordan, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development