Seminar to focus on sharing municipal services

By KATHY MELLOTT
The Tribune-Democrat

LILLY June 16, 2009 11:47 pm

— Officials in Cambria County’s Mainline region are looking to reduce costs while improving fire and emergency medical services.
As equipment costs rise and volunteers dwindle, the Mainline Shared Services Committee was formed to promote intermunicipal cooperation.
Washington Township supervisors will sponsor a seminar on the topic next month.
“We’re finding out in this area that a lot of fire companies are lacking personnel, especially in the daylight hours,” township Supervisor Ray Guzic said Tuesday. “We want to look at duplicated services and equipment.”
Dean Fernsler, a longtime municipal consultant with the state Department of Community and Economic Development, will conduct the seminar. Recently retired from the state, Fernsler is working with the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors on community-related projects.
Figures provided by Fernsler support Guzic’s concerns about volunteers. In 1976 the state’s more than 2,300 volunteer fire companies had 300,000 active volunteers. That figure declined to 72,000 by 2005.
Equipment costs have increased considerably, and volunteers now must train, fight fires and raise money, Guzic said.
“As things become more expensive and money gets tighter, you’re going to see more of this,” said Ginni Linn of the association. “It’s mostly about cooperation, where they can do things together.”
The shared services committee has supported a look at fire and emergency medical services as part of a multi-municipal effort to reduce costs and improve services, said Rich Wray of the Cresson Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber founded the committee two years ago.
“We kind of launched it,” Wray said.
Letters outlining the seminar are being sent to local municipalities, but Guzic said it is not limited to the Mainline. He is hopeful municipal, fire and EMS representatives from Cambria and surrounding counties will attend the July 23 event.
Fernsler will discuss benefits of fire and EMS partnerships, barriers to working together and the future of these services.
State legislation was enacted last year to promote a more regional approach. It compels municipal officials to consult fire and emergency services personnel to discuss services and needs, officials said.
Municipalities in much of the Mainline already are involved in a DCED study looking at police service.
Data is being collected now, and the study is to be completed next spring, Wray said. Financial and call/response information is being collected for analysis by the state agency.

If you go
What: Seminar on intermunicipal cooperation.
When: 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. July 23.
Where: Mount Aloysius College.
Speaker: Dean Fernsler of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.
Details: Open to municipal, fire and EMS representatives from Cambria and surrounding counties. To register, call Washington Township offices at 886-5359.