Canton Township supervisors moving toward agreement with fire department
Canton Township supervisors are moving toward an agreement with Canton Township Volunteer Fire Company that will result in the addition of two paid, part-time firefighters.
Supervisors approved the agreement – an addition to an existing agreement that was signed by the supervisors and the fire department in 2021 – at the Jan. 11 meeting.
The fire department is reviewing the agreement.
In addition, the agreement calls for the fire department to agree to an audit of finances for the years from 2020 through 2023, and to update run cards – cards that show which fire companies and other resources would respond to an emergency – at least annually, to ensure EMS and fire departments respond properly to fire calls.
The latest agreement stems from an issue in September, when the township threatened in September to suspend funding for the fire department, citing the fire company’s alleged failure to adhere to the 2021 agreement and other actions of the fire department.
A letter sent by the township to the fire company stated the department failed to host two annual fundraisers, and did not provide “any and all audits to the Township conducted by either the VFD or a third agency,” as required in the 2021 agreement.
Additionally, the township had learned the fire department “advised Washington County 911 that the VFD did not want Washington City or South Strabane Township called out to fire and rescue events” and was “not facilitating the use of volunteer firefighters.”
It also learned at that time the fire department might close in December.
The new agreement addresses those issues.
Township manager Stephanie Pettit said the additions to the agreement will provide more accountability for Canton Township residents who depend on the fire protection provided by the township.
She said maintaining a fire department and ensuring fire protection is an important issue for the township.
The agreement will go into effect once both parties sign.
The new agreement also calls for any future equipment purchased by the fire department with funding from the township to be placed in joint names, and that if the fire department dissolves its corporate existence, all of its assets will go to the township.
In another Jan. 11 action, supervisors approved the purchase of a rescue pumper for $650,000.
The fire department did not respond to a phone call for comment.