The Allegheny Valley and Cheswick volunteer fire departments hope to officially merge this year.
In the meantime, the two departments have been informally working together, pooling their resources and manpower. The two stations are five blocks apart, and both departments have been working out of the Allegheny Valley station. Allegheny Valley serves Springdale Township and Harmar.
“The number of volunteer firefighters and people able to respond to calls is declining,” Allegheny Valley Fire Chief Rick Franks said. “Our company realized that during the day we’re only getting one or two people, and maybe the other company up the street is only getting two or three people. Together we can maybe put a crew together and have a better response.”