Copyright 2006 MediaNews Group, Inc.
By DAVE GULDEN
The York Dispatch (York, Pa.)
Liberty Fire Co. in North York has its first full-time paid firefighters since its inception in 1899.
Kerry Herman, 37, a lifelong borough resident, was sworn in as deputy fire chief at the first council meeting of the year. He brings with him 21 years of EMS experience for Memorial Hospital, and he will be paid $32,000 yearly.
Byron Good and Richard Rabuck started their full-time firefighter positions at the start of the year. Good will receive a $29,000 salary and Rabuck $27,000.
Borough manager Stewart Graybill said the full-timers were hired because it’s hard to get enough volunteers. As for cost beyond salaries, he said, “We don’t know what the cost is. It’s just standard benefits like health insurance and vacation.”
He said the cost of hiring the paid firefighters comes from borough funds but will not increase taxes.
The three professionals supplement a crew of 10 to 15 volunteers in the new fire hall on East Eighth Avenue.
Chief John Knadig, a volunteer, is paid $310 a month as chief. He has a full-time job with the Postal Service.
The company has also increased its equipment to four trucks with the addition of a utility vehicle bought for $15,000 from Spring Grove. The vehicle, a 1984 walk-in box truck will be used to carry extra equipment. Like the firefighters’ salaries, the cost was covered by borough funds.
Liberty responded to 12 calls in December and 179 total calls in 2005, including assistance calls in Manchester Township and York City. An open house is being planned by summertime.