Canton Township, fire department, reach agreement
After months of deliberation, Canton Township and the Canton Township Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Squad (CTVFC) have reached an agreement, the township announced this week.
The seven-page document was signed Monday after township supervisors voted to conditionally adopt it at their Feb. 8 meeting.
Last fall, Canton Township threatened to suspend funding to the fire department, citing the fire company’s failure to adhere to the 2021 agreement “and other actions of the VFD.”
The two parties will continue to honor the agreement reached in March 2021, with the addition of some duties and obligations. The township will continue to allocate $35,000 annually to the CTVFC, said township manager Stephanie Pettit.
“Nothing in the way of funding is changing,” she said.
Fire Chief Chuck LaBella did not return a message seeking comment.
Going forward, any equipment purchased for use by the fire department using township money will be jointly owned, with the township holding title rights and superseding ownership to that equipment. Any equipment purchased with solely fire company funds can be placed in the fire department’s name.
“If anything would ever happen to the fire department, all of the equipment would revert back to the township to continue to be utilized for the safety of the residents,” Pettit said.
According to the agreement, Canton Township will employ two part-time firefighters, whose job description is defined by the CTVFC and approved by the township. The township and fire department are still finalizing the job descriptions and qualifications, but listed standards, including successful completion of emergency vehicle certification on apparatus used by the fire company, in the agreement. The part-timers will be paid by the township.
CTVFC will now submit its run cards, which list who, including mutual aid departments, responds to fire alarms in an area, to the township for approval before sending to the county emergency dispatch. Run cards must be updated at least annually, according to the new agreement.
CTVFC also agrees to an audit by the township’s financial auditor for the years 2020 through 2023.
“I believe this is a very positive step in the right direction,” Pettit said, “to keep a good rapport with our volunteer fire company.”
At the Feb. 8 meeting, supervisors approved the purchase of a rescue engine for $650,000, using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
“The fire department will utilize it, but the township did purchase it,” Pettit said. “The one (fire engine) we’re replacing, it has an open cab and no seatbelts, so it’s definitely out of date.”
Pettit said the new engine is scheduled to arrive this July.