PLUMSTEAD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Plumstead Township welcomed its first career firefighters on Aug. 19 as the township transitions to a combination career and volunteer fire service.
Rachel Brick, Benjamin Morris and Daniel Pfeiffer were sworn in as members of the newly established Plumstead Township Fire and Rescue Department, Central Bucks Now reported. A fourth career firefighter, Harley Turner, was unable to attend the ceremony.
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“This is an exciting and historic moment for Plumstead Township,” Public Safety Director David Mettin said. “These firefighters are becoming part of a long tradition of service provided by our volunteer fire companies, while also helping us build a stronger and more dependable response system for our residents.”
The swearing-in followed the Plumstead Township Board of Supervisors’ unanimous approval in July of an ordinance establishing the new fire and rescue department.
The ordinance designated the department as the township’s career fire and rescue agency while maintaining a combination system in which career firefighters work alongside volunteers.
The department was established after more than a year of planning to provide career staffing during daytime hours. Plumstead Township has nearly 15,000 residents.
Fire Chief Bill Wiegman, a former Montgomery Township fire chief, was hired earlier in 2026 to establish the department, recruit its first career firefighters and develop operating policies.
He also serves as Plumstead Township’s fire marshal and emergency management coordinator.
The career department will work alongside the Plumsteadville, Point Pleasant and Dublin volunteer fire companies.
The township’s 2026 budget added a 3.75-mill property tax to fund the career fire service, which is expected to generate about $847,762. The increase will cost the owner of a home assessed at the township average about $145 per year, according to budget documents.
What does it take to make a combination fire department work? Share how your department balances career staffing with its volunteer members.
