Merger and Future

A Unified Approach to Fire and Emergency Services

Cecil Township has a rich history of dedicated volunteer service, with three volunteer fire companies serving our community since the 1950s: Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company #1 of Lawrence, Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company #2 of Muse, and Cecil Township Fire Company #3 of Millers Run. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these volunteers for their unwavering commitment and hard work throughout the years.

As our township has evolved from its roots in coal mining and farming to a growing hub of commercial and residential development, the demands on our fire services have changed dramatically. With increasing call volumes and the challenges of modern life, volunteerism has unfortunately declined, presenting critical challenges for our fire service.

The Need for Merger

To ensure the sustainability of our fire service for the future, we are merging the three volunteer fire companies into a single, united entity. This new organization will consolidate our volunteer firefighters into one robust fire department, enhancing our ability to respond effectively to emergencies rather than operating as three separate entities. (The three fire stations will remain in present locations)

The township has recognized the importance of this transition and has employed a Fire Chief to oversee the finances, operations, and integration of the three companies. As we move into 2024, the Cecil Township Department of Fire and Emergency Services will be established by ordinance, aimed at incorporating career firefighter staffing to bolster our volunteer system.

Expansion of Firefighter Staffing

In 2025, we successfully hired four additional firefighters who started a rotating 24-hour schedule. This allows us to have one firefighter on duty at all times, responding alongside our volunteer firefighters to any calls in Cecil Township. Chief Wolford is committed to staffing the Lawrence Fire Station by 2026, which will require hiring more firefighters to ensure 24/7 coverage.

Organizational Transition

Currently, the merger is in the legal process of forming a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, named the Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Department Inc. Once established in early to mid-2026, the existing three companies will begin transferring their members, financials, and assets into this unified volunteer organization, leading to the dissolution of the individual companies.

This merger will create a strong, single volunteer organization that works together with our career staff complementing each other and ensuring consistent service across the 26.4 square miles of our township. 

Financial Support and Resource Management

The township is committed to assuming financial responsibility for capital and operational expenses that our volunteer fire companies have struggled to maintain, particularly in light of skyrocketing costs. For example, the cost of a basic fire engine has escalated from $500,000-$600,000 before COVID-19 to over $1 million today. 

Additionally, the township is willing to take on the ownership and maintenance of fire stations, relieving volunteer firefighters of these burdens, enabling them to focus on training and answering calls. Currently, each fire company owns and maintains its own station and apparatus; however, we are transitioning to a more centralized approach for better efficiency and resource management.

The Muse Volunteer Fire Company has already begun the process of transferring its assets to the township, starting the shift toward a consolidated organization. This progress will allow us to operate under a single budget and management structure, ensuring a consistent level of service throughout our community.

Enhanced Emergency Medical Response

Cecil Township Fire Department is also working toward obtaining Quick Response Service licensure through the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which will enhance our ability to respond to medical emergencies, in collaboration with South Bridge EMS. Many of our firefighters are trained as EMTs, A-EMTs, and paramedics, further strengthening our response capabilities.

Summary

The merger of our volunteer fire companies marks an important step toward a sustainable and efficient fire service for Cecil Township. We appreciate the support and understanding of our community as we move forward in this transformative process to ensure the safety and well-being of all our residents.