Upper St. Clair Study Focuses On Improvements To VFD Services

UPPER ST. CLAIR — After a detailed two-year study by an outside consultant, township commissioners have adopted a strategic plan to guide the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department.

The study, conducted by Robb Consulting, which included document review, operational assessment, and interviews with the fire department personnel, township staff, commissioners and the public. The result was 11 recommendations to improve better voluntary fire service delivery for the township.

The 11 recommendations:

• Appoint a township fire chief-director of fire protection department.

• Establish an ad hoc strategic assessment implementation advisory committee.

• Reorganize and elevate the fire protection department.

• Continue to update volunteer fire department administrative governance.

• Strategy recommendations for fire-rescue operations.

• Continually assess the need for operational staffing.

• Develop a fire officer eligibility policy.

• Develop a formal staffing plan.

• Evaluate dispatch protocols and capabilities.

• Adopt apparatus replacement plan.

• Improve member recruitment and retention.

• Continue to develop regional relationships.

View the entire report here.