Cheswick Volunteer Fire Company awaits state approval for merger

The Cheswick Volunteer Fire Company is coming close to finalizing its merger with the Allegheny Valley Fire Company.

Once the state approves the merger, Cheswick will officially consolidate with Allegheny Valley, said Nino Pollino, president of the Cheswick department. The state requested documentation from the borough expressing its support of the merger. The council unanimously voted Tuesday to write a letter.

Council president Michael Girardi said the borough expects its budget to remain the same or have a slight decrease in costs with the merger.

“This was, moreso, an issue of manpower,” he said.

The consolidation has been two years in the making. Cheswick had been working with Allegheny Valley during that time as separate entities. Pollino said departments use their own equipment and funds, but both departments work out of Allegheny Valley’s station on 851 Parkway Drive.

The merger was prompted by an analysis of Cheswick’s volunteers, finances and fundraisers. Pollino said the department has seen a decline in volunteers.

The department receives about 60 calls per year, most being to assist other departments.

The departments being five blocks from each other made the decision simple, Pollino said.

“The idea had been kicked around the last four or five years,” he said. “Things got to a point where it made sense to do it.”

Pollino anticipates the state confirming the merger within the next month.

“I would hope that would be relatively quick,” he said.