HELLERTOWN, Pa. — The borough’s volunteer fire service is in a membership slump, Dewey Fire Company Chief Rick Delmore says.
Delmore's pronouncement to Borough Council on Monday came just a few days before the July 4 holiday, a time of year known for celebratory fireworks and associated mishaps and injuries nationwide.
The department serves Hellertown and neighboring Lower Saucon Township, providing a volunteer-based fire force with paid EMS services.
The company is made up of 18 members, five probationary/support crew and three junior personnel.
Delmore said the department is “severely lacking” personnel, mostly during daytime hours.
“We’re looking at every option possible to recruit people and retain the people that we have. … We can have all the equipment in the world, but without anybody to use it, it doesn’t mean anything.”Dewey Fire Co. Chief Rick Delmore
His report shared Monday said the department is "desperate" for volunteers.
“We’re looking at every option possible to recruit people and retain the people that we have,” Delmore said.
“We can have all the equipment in the world, but without anybody to use it, it doesn’t mean anything.”
Officials plan to later discuss a potential volunteer tax credit option available through the state.
If you’re interested in joining the company, its website says to stop by the station at 6:30 p.m. any Monday, send a message to the department Facebook page or complete an application.
Q2 report
The quarterly report Delmore shared with council shows that from the beginning of the year through May, the department responded to at least 184 calls.
That’s compared with 174 incidents during the same time last year.
Those calls are made up of the following:
- Good intent: 37.5%
- Rescue and Emergency Medical: 19.02%
- Hazardous condition (no fire): 15.22%
- False alarm and false call: 15.22%
- Fire: 8.7%
- Service call: 4.35%
February was the fire service’s busiest month.
The most hectic times for the department appear to be from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, the chief said.
Dewey’s fire call responses amounted to 366 in 2021 and 420 in 2022, according to the company website.
Inspections due
Delmore said the company is at three-quarters of the budget for the year, though inspections for the rescue engine and ladder truck are due in coming months.
Pumps, ladders and hoses also need to be tested, and other repairs also could come up, the chief said.
A future budget discussion or potential reallocations are in order for council at some point soon, officials said.
“Hopefully we don’t have any catastrophic failures or we need another truck."Dewey Fire Co. Chief Rick Delmore
Delmore said the prices of fire apparatuses are “going bananas.”
The company’s current 2015 rescue engine was bought for $500,000 in 2013.
A current replacement of that truck today would run the company $1.5 million and come with a four-year wait period.
“Hopefully we don’t have any catastrophic failures or we need another truck,” Delmore said.
Future capital discussions to come
Councilman Andrew Hughes, who also serves with council's Finance & Capital Committee, told Delmore that council had its eye on a number of line items mentioned in the first block of the capital plan.
According to meeting minutes from council’s June 17 meeting, Hughes said improvements at the fire company were among other “high-level” needs of the borough.
"I think I speak for all of council that we’re always here if you need something, have questions.”Hellertown Borough Councilwoman Liz Thompson, speaking to Dewey Fire Co. Chief Rick Delmore
During that meeting, he recommended a potential fire tax increase to cover projected capital requirements of the department, the minutes read.
Councilwoman Liz Thompson told Delmore, “I think I speak for all of council that we’re always here if you need something, have questions.”
Council President Thomas Rieger said a meeting would be in order for later in the summer to discuss the future capital needs of the fire company.
