Unity Volunteer Fire Department in Plum is still repaying a loan it took out in 2008 to buy breathing packs for its 25 members. “Can we afford it? No,” Chief P.J. Mudar said. “Is it something we have to do? Yes.” The worst part is that before they’re even paid
Volunteer fire departments are nearing a breaking point. About 37,000 firefighters suit up every day in Pennsylvania, according to the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. That’s down tenfold from the 1970s, when there were about 300,000 firefighters. “That’s close to a crisis in my mind,” said New Kensington fire
Michael DiVittorio | Tribune-Review
Unity Volunteer Fire Department in Plum plans to replace this aging rescue truck with a new one.
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Plans to replace an aging rescue truck at Unity Volunteer Fire Department in Plum were sent back to square one after council opted not to contribute the bulk of its cost .
Instead, elected leaders contracted with Emergency Vehicle Response to do a fire apparatus fleet analysis for the borough and develop a 15-year plan for future purchases.
Cost of the evaluation was estimated at $29,000.