Main Line Fire Companies Want More Funding From Tredyffrin-Easttown

Describing what they see as a “lack of reliable funding,” fire companies from four Main Line communities that provide emergency services to Tredyffrin and Easttown have formed a coalition to lobby for more and stable funding from that pair of townships.

The Malvern, Radnor, Paoli and Berwyn fire companies have formed the “T-E Fire Companies Funding Coalition,” and plan to use social media, mailings and face-to-face discussions with local officials to bring awareness to the funding issue, which they say threatens residents’ safety.

“If a sustainable funding solution isn’t found, we fear that eventually we may not be able to promptly and effectively respond to fire and EMS emergencies,” said Berwyn Fire Chief Eamon Brazunas in a statement released Thursday. “Adequate funding is critical in order to properly maintain our fire and EMS equipment and staff our stations.”

“Our joint fire company coalition, our townships’ leaders and residents all want our departments to remain vibrant and effective, and we believe by working together, we can ensure they do.”

According to the coalition, the annual funding Tredyffrin and Easttown townships provide to the fire companies in exchange for emergency services is neither sufficient nor adequately predictable. Not being able to predict funding makes it difficult to plan their own budgets, they argue.

The coalition, which counts nearly 200 volunteers among its ranks, also contends that municipal funds account for less than 25 percent of the Tredyffrin-Easttown fire companies’ annual budgets.

Other concerns the group has expressed include the increased demand for service due to new development and redevelopment, all without an impact fee to offset the burden, as well as the effect the funding situation will have on response times.

“We love what we do, and we are devoted to it,” said Radnor Fire Chief Joe Maguire in Thursday’s statement. “But our organizations are expected to respond to emergencies, recruit and retain volunteers and maintain high training standards. Without sustainable funding from Tredyffrin and Easttown townships, our ability to keep pace with the ever-growing demands of providing fire/EMS services will be negatively impacted.”

The coalition’s statement on Thursday did not include any funding or budget figures for the fire companies.

Tredyffrin Township Manager William Martin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An email sent to Easttown Township Manager Daniel Fox, who was out of the office Thursday, has so far not been returned.