Lower Burrell approves cooperative fire agreement: ‘a realistic solution,’ mayor says

A cooperative fire agreement among Lower Burrell, New Kensington and Arnold fire departments has won approval from Lower Burrell officials.

Council approved plans outlining rules to establish a Tri-Cities duty crew for daytime volunteer fire coverage among the three cities.

“I’m very excited for the Tri-City duty crew and its potential moving forward,” Lower Burrell Mayor Chris Fabry said. “I commend the leaders of the four departments for working together on a realistic solution that benefits all three communities.”

The agreement would allow Arnold, New Kensington, Kinloch and Lower Burrell No. 3 volunteer firefighters to pull together resources to provide daily rotating staffing at one or more stations within the three cities.

The chiefs earlier this year presented the plan to each city council, recognizing a need for improved daytime response for volunteer fire protection and emergency services due to reduced availability of volunteers during the workday.

Under the agreement, each city’s worker’s compensation insurance would cover their city firefighters, regardless of the response location.

New Kensington already approved the rules. It’s anticipated that Arnold will do so in August.

“It’s not easy to get something like this off the ground, so it’s great to see buy-in from all departments and municipalities,” Fabry said. “Everyone recognizes the challenges and are committed to working toward the same goals.”

EMA coordinator appointed

The city also announced the official appointment of Fred Lukac as emergency management coordinator.

Municipalities are required by the state to have an emergency management coordinator to serve as a liaison between local and state efforts during catastrophes.

Lukac told council Monday that he works in insurance and has been a volunteer firefighter in Lower Burrell since 1999.

“It’s an honor to serve in this position and serve my community as emergency management coordinator,” Lukac said.

Fabry said he was happy with the appointment.

“Fred has the background, intelligence and contacts needed to properly do the job. He’s long been invested in the city and has proven himself countless times in other matters. He brings a lot to the table.”

Council also approved its yearly contract with Kinloch and Lower Burrell No. 3. Fabry said the contracts outline expectations and requirements when operating in the city.

Officials also approved run cards for the fire companies. That’s part of a new requirement from Westmoreland County Public Safety that states run card changes must be approved by municipal officials, Fabry said. Run cards contain information regarding what fire companies are called out in an area when a particular fire company may need assistance.