By Liz Hayes
The Valley News-Dispatch
BRAEVIEW, Pa. — Yesterday’s last-minute protests were not enough to convince Lower Burrell Council to keep Braeview Volunteer Fire Department open.
Council agreed, 4-1, to begin the process of severing ties with the department. Councilman Joe Grillo was the lone dissenter.
Braeview remains in operation for now. Officials weren’t certain how long the mandated court process to close the fire company would take or what would become of its fire hall and equipment.
Mayor Don Kinosz and the majority of council members repeatedly have said they believe the two fire halls manned by Lower Burrell No. 3 (Bon Air) can cover Braeview’s territory as well as Braeview has done.
Conclusive data on response times from Westmoreland County’s emergency dispatching department were not available, but fire officials have said response is comparable from both No. 3’s fire halls and from Braeview.
Using that limited 911 data, Cheryl Shank of Edgeview Road on Monday noted several incidents in the past three years in which a Braeview crew responded quicker than No. 3. During those incidents, Shank believes Braeview crews responded an average of four minutes faster.
“Safety is compromised by four minutes per call,” she said.
During the last four months of meetings, fire officials also have noted incidents in which No. 3 responded to Braeview’s territory faster, including a fatal house fire.
City officials have noted Braeview’s members largely live outside their service area and often must drive past one of No. 3’s firehalls to get to Braeview’s. Of Braeview’s 46 members, Chief Jason Thomas said there are 13 active firefighters who live in Braeview.
What will become of Braeview’s members was a concern expressed by both council and residents on Monday. Residents were worried Braeview’s members would be unwilling to join No. 3 or Kinloch.
“It’s hard to get volunteers,” said Margaret Baker of Edgeview Road.
She implored council to act cautiously in dissolving an organization that residents and volunteers built over more than 50 years -- longer than Lower Burrell has been a city.
“I hate to see men who’ve given so much for so many years just brushed aside,” said Jack Hicks of Waugaman Drive.
Hicks said he was grateful firefighters saved his home from fire in the 1970s. Noting that his road is steep and the fire occurred in winter, he questioned whether a truck coming from No. 3 would have been delayed and resulted in more extensive damage.
“I realize the city is looking at ways to cut costs,” Hicks said. “But how much is a house worth? How much is my home worth?”
Councilman David Regoli estimated the closure will save the city at least $66,000 annually.
The savings will come from two main areas:
- The city now allocates $25,000 per year per fire company, or $75,000 total, for general operating expenses. Eliminating Braeview’s allocation will knock down the total by about 30 percent to $50,000.
- The estimated $86,000 in state money the city receives for the three fire departments won’t change but now will be split between two companies instead of three.
Since the two remaining companies, No. 3 and Kinloch, each will receive about $14,000 more, council plans to further reduce the city’s allocation by about $28,000 total.
The annual allocation then will go down from about $75,000 now to $22,000 next year.
That does not take into account how the capitol fund for major fire equipment may be impacted. The city usually sets aside about $50,000 per year and distributes that money every five years to one of the departments.
When residents indicated $50,000 to $75,000 wasn’t a significant savings, Councilman Frank Trozzi said it equates to more than a half-mill of property tax revenue.
Regoli said much of Lower Burrell’s $4.5 million budget consists of fixed costs such as employee contracts and health care. He said the savings is more significant when compared to the portion of the budget where council has some leeway.
Kinosz reiterated his concern was not just with saving money but with streamlining fire operations.
“You’re foolish to have two redundant services,” he said.
Council did not accede to Thomas’ request that Braeview be allowed to operate with less or no city money.
“I don’t think any fire department needs shut down,” Thomas said.
Thomas added he believes it could cost $20,000 or more to dissolve Braeview. He also questioned whether the city’s rating in terms of homeowners insurance would be impacted.
Officials have said insurance would not be impacted because the rating only requires that homeowners have a fire company within five miles of their homes. All of Lower Burrell’s remaining departments meet that criteria.
In fact, Regoli said there are 21 fire departments within five miles of the city center, a dozen of which are on Lower Burrell’s side of the Allegheny River.
Copyright 2009 The Valley News-Dispatch