Pine supervisors, Wexford firefighters settle on joint titling for engine, discuss hybrid paid model for fire company

Pine officials and the Wexford Volunteer Fire Company held a strategic discussion before the regularly scheduled supervisors meeting July 21 to try to negotiate the terms of a new agreement.

Though this was only the first discussion regarding the terms of the new agreement, the two sides were able to settle on joint titling for the purchase of a new fire engine to be delivered in 2028.

The titling had been a point of contention during the May 19 meeting.

Chief Tom Hudak and President John Lombardo Sr. were in attendance to represent the fire company.

Several members of the public affiliated with fire protection services also were present during the discussion to show their support.

Hudak gave a presentation that outlined the issues with the current agreement, highlighted challenges to the current volunteer model and offered a recommended course of action moving forward.

Hudak also took issue with the implementation of Bruce Hezlep as public safety director because he believed the role infringed on the autonomy of the fire company. Hezlep assumed the newly created role in February.

“I think that’s what’s important for people to know is that Bruce Hezlep is not a politician, he’s a veteran firefighter with lots of experience. He’s not a pencil pusher. It’s critical to know that this gentleman knows what he’s talking about,” Supervisor Jack Donahue said in response to Hudak’s assertions.

Hudak showed a video illustrating how quickly modern homes with synthetic materials can go up in flames to show how the need for volunteer firefighting has changed. In the past, older homes would take half an hour or more to flashover. Newer builds today can have rooms engulfed in flames in as little as four minutes. He said the current volunteer model isn’t enough to keep up with the demands on the fire company.

Hudak proposed a hybrid paid model to ensure a prompt response to fire emergencies in Pine. His proposition included three compensated operational positions so the fire company would meet the minimum crew level requirement for fire suppression.

The minimum crew level requirement is four people — one driver/pump operator, two firefighters who go inside with the hose line and one additional qualified firefighter. Hudak said the additional firefighter likely would be a volunteer.

Hudak also spoke about the need for two part-time paid administrative positions within the fire company to help with compliance and recordkeeping.

The board of supervisors recognized the need for a change in the current volunteer model but remarked on what a large change it would be.

Said Supervisor Pat Avolio: “This would fundamentally change how much the township is paying the fire department, how things have been done for 104 years.”

Avolio went on to say that Pine pays its fire services significantly more than other townships in the area. Hudak said Wexford firefighters also responded to more calls than fire departments in the surrounding areas.

Hudak claimed the fire company receives 50% of its funding from outside sources, such as the Firefighter Relief Fund, federal grants and donations. The other half is covered by Pine Township, he said.

In the 2025 budget, Pine is covering $334,370 of the operating expenses of the fire company. The outside funding the fire company receives totals about $188,000, which is significantly less than the 50-50 split Hudak asserted.

“I don’t think it’s a shock to hear that the fire company wants to move to a hybrid model. I think we’re just concerned about the sustainability of it. Let’s come together and create something that is sustainable for the long future. We also want to ensure we respect your autonomy while at the same time still being accountable to the taxpayers,” said Audrey Mackie, vice chair of the supervisors.

Operational autonomy of the fire company was a point of contention between the chief and the board of supervisors.

The upervisors emphasized they are answerable to the taxpayers when it comes to how money is being spent.

“We owe it to the taxpayers to come up with a fair and equitable way to fund fire services in the township in a sustainable way. We recognize that there’s an issue,” Avolio said.

Hudak expressed his frustration around the idea of financial oversight being necessary to the existence of fire protection services in Pine.

Township Manager Jason Kratsas remarked on the likelihood of regionalization for fire services in Pine if the township moves to the hybrid model.

He said both of the other public safety partners in Pine — the Northern Tier Regional Police department and McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority — are able to function in the township because the costs are shared between multiple municipalities.

“If we’re starting to go down this path talking about paid firefighting in Pine, we’re going to have to talk about regionalization. The issues of autonomy and pay don’t necessarily live in the same neighborhood,” Kratsas said.

Hudak continued to compare the Wexford Volunteer Fire Company to the other regionalized public safety services in Pine while the board emphasized the guard rails in place in those agencies.

“The board of supervisors is very interested in providing first-rate fire service in Pine Township through the WVFC, but not without financial oversight,” Kratsas said.