North Hempfield station becomes 1st chartered member of Hempfield Township Fire Department

More than a year after Hempfield leaders began the process of creating a single department, the North Hempfield station has become the first chartered member of the Hempfield Township Fire Department.

During a meeting last week, supervisors unanimously authorized an agreement of acquisition with the North Hempfield Volunteer Fire Company and the North Hempfield Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association. That means the township will incur financial obligations, as well as property and apparatus owned by North Hempfield.

“Through the assumption of all financial and operational burden, firefighters of the North Hempfield Fire Station will be able to concentrate on serving their community through training and professional emergency response to incidents throughout our community,” officials said in a statement.

Work on creating the single fire department began in 2019, as township leaders looked to improve their rating with New Jersey-based Insurance Services Offices Inc., or ISO. The ISO rating has a direct impact on homeowner insurance rates.

As part of those efforts, officials worked to establish the township’s now 11 stations — previously operating as their own entities — under one department. The township’s volunteer service now operates under a paid fire chief and deputy fire chief. Under one department, stations also were required to sign service agreements, which lay out certain protocols.

Under that setup, stations have been operating as non-chartered members, meaning they have their own set of bylaws in addition to the service agreements. North Hempfield, as a chartered member, is now under the township’s purview and does not follow any other guidelines, township Manager Jason Winters said.

Winters noted the township is in communication with other departments about becoming chartered members. He declined to say which ones.

“By looking to the future of the fire service in Hempfield Township, our members look forward to ensuring the emergency needs of our community remains the number one priority for years to come,” North Hempfield Chief Jay Wilkinson said in a statement.

The North Hempfield station, established in 1955, will undergo several projects in the coming months, including modernizing its facility, getting a new fire engine and painting its other apparatus to match the township fire department’s color scheme of silver over blue.

Township officials ensured there will not be a delay in emergency services during the transition.

During last week’s meeting, several supervisors applauded North Hempfield for becoming the department’s first chartered member.

“North Hempfield, very proud to be part of this tonight. … It’s historic in our fire service,” said George Reese, chairman of the board of supervisors, who also read a proclamation in honor of the station’s dedication and decision to join the township department.

Supervisors Tom Logan and Rob Ritson shared similar sentiments.

“I am extremely proud of the board for what they agreed to do and, more importantly, all of you for your courage to partner with us in this fashion,” Ritson said.