By Annie Ginder
Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)
Copyright 2007 Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.
LANCASTER, Pa. — Martic Township Board of Auditors have recommended the township implement four procedures before donating money to Pequea and Rawlinsville fire companies.
In a letter to the supervisors, the auditors addressed issues of funding, establishing a formula for future donations, proof of training and better communication.
The auditors asked the fire companies to pursue all means of funding including state and federal grants as well as the other townships they serve. Rawlinsville Fire Company covers Martic, Providence, Drumore and East Drumore townships, while Pequea Fire Company covers Martic.
The presidents of both fire companies - Dave Jackson at Rawlinsville and Keith Hertzog at Pequea - said they already apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Homeland Security and Safety grants, but they aren’t always easy to find.
“We use the Internet and word-of-mouth from other fire companies,” Hertzog said.
“We have a committee put together for that,” said Jackson, who added Rawlinsville has approached Drumore and Providence townships and will do so again at upcoming supervisors meetings.
The auditors suggested the township could assist the fire companies by paying someone to help them apply for grants.
They also suggested the township create a standard formula to establish a fixed annual donation for the fire companies. The township has made donations to both companies on an as-needed basis.
Last year the township gave Pequea $121,000 for a new engine, and this year it budgeted $80,000 for Rawlinsville to purchase a new engine.
Due to rising workers’ compensation costs the auditors said “could be due to the unnecessary accidents during fire calls” the auditors suggested the fire companies show proof of training certificates and yearly updates to the township and that new members should show proof of training before responding to any fire calls.
“This should not be a difficult request,” Hertzog said. “The chief holds all those certificates.”
Jackson said not everyone on the scene of a fire is actually fighting a fire, and he admits feeling a need to “talk to the township about this.”
The final suggestion was for better communication.
Auditors sent letters dated Jan. 22 to Hertzog and Jackson asking them to be present at their respective fire houses Feb. 3 for an inventory of the fire trucks covered under the township’s insurance policy.
Jackson said he never received the letter and was at work Feb. 3.
“The last straw for me is when my auditors were totally flipped off,” township treasurer Barb Stokes said.
Jackson said because of a glitch in the mail sorting at the station, he did not receive the letter, although he was shown a copy of the letter by Hertzog.
Jackson contacted the supervisors Feb. 5 and has made arrangements to have all correspondence sent to his home and the fire house to prevent future miscommunications.
Hertzog also will be getting copies of correspondence sent to his home.
“Hopefully this will clear up the discrepancies,” Hertzog said.
Jackson said a representative from his fire company will attend all future supervisors meetings.