By Carole Deck
The Intelligencer Journal/New Era
LANCASTER, Pa. — Two heads are better than one. Two fire companies working as one are better than two.
That’s what Liberty Fire Company and Blue Ball Fire Company No. 1 believe will result from a proposed cooperative partnership between the two companies.
“The purpose of the partnership is for both companies to function as one organization, financially and operationally,” Blue Ball Fire Chief Roy Mellinger said.
Both companies agree that one larger organization would provide more efficient, cost-effective fire protection to the residents of Earl Township, East Earl Township and New Holland Borough.
Cory Simo, Liberty Fire Company trustee, came up with the idea for the two companies, which are only two miles apart, to form a partnership.
He was motivated by the seemingly stalled efforts of the Weaverland Fire Council, consisting of Blue Ball, Goodville and Terre Hill fire companies, to make changes for future fire service in East Earl Township.
“Since New Holland and Blue Ball already support one another with apparatus and manpower, use the same style air packs, rescue tools and training level systems, plus really work well together, it seemed time to move forward with a plan,” Simo said.
He wrote a proposal for the partnership and presented it to the Blue Ball Fire Company administration in the fall of 2010.
Tim Sprecher, Blue Ball Fire Company trustee, immediately saw the value in the proposal, which organizers emphasized is being called a partnership rather than a merger or consolidation.
“We see the partnership as being a benefit to both organizations and the community at large,” Sprecher said. “It could also raise Blue Ball’s ISO rating.”
Liberty Fire Company is the only fire department in the county, besides the Lancaster City Bureau of Fire, to have an ISO Class 3 rating. Just 23 of the more than 2,500 fire departments in the state have that rating or lower.
Lower ISO ratings can sometimes lead to reduced insurance rates in communities a fire company serves.
Liberty Fire Chief Larry Martin said a major benefit of a partnership would be the reduction of one engine in the replacement schedule. That could save $500,000.
With administration approval, the companies created a Steering Committee for Cooperative Partnership, with representatives from each fire company. Simo is chairman.
“It’s in everyone’s best interest to work together and support all efforts to improve fire protection for our municipalities,” said Dave Zimmerman, chairman of the East Earl Township supervisors.
Rick Kochel, chairman of the Earl Township supervisors, agreed and stated that the proposed partnership would help financially.
“It’s wise in this day and age to reduce duplication of services in regards to volunteers and vast equipment costs,” said Dick Fulcher, New Holland’s borough manager.
Simo said the two companies have a good mix of equipment. Blue Ball has a tanker, engine and squad truck. New Holland has a ladder and rescue truck, hose, air and squad trucks, plus two engines.
The steering committee is working with Robert Brady, government policy specialist, from the state Department of Community & Economic Development. Subcommittees from each fire company have been developed to address all details of the partnership.
“The new organized partnership will have only one name to show unity, but it hasn’t been determined what it will be,” said Stefan Kuenzli, president of Liberty Fire Company.
He said the partnership would have the same three stations now in operation - two in New Holland and one in Blue Ball, at 4305 Division Highway. The main New Holland station, at 339 E. Main St., will be the official headquarters. The second New Holland station is at 622 W. Main St.
Liberty’s service area consists of New Holland, two-thirds of Earl Township and a small portion of East Earl. It has 75 active volunteers. Blue Ball serves 55 percent of East Earl and has 55 active volunteers.
Sprecher said that when all the details of the cooperative partnership are finalized, the proposal will be brought before both fire companies for a vote that he hopes will take place by the end of this year.
“It’s a win-win situation for fire protection and operations,” said Darryl Keiser, committee co-chair and Liberty’s battalion chief.
Copyright 2011 Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.