North Huntingdon has given the Strawpump Volunteer Fire Department an incentive to continue work to regain its place in the community.

That would mean an acceptable fire insurance rating that would allow it to reclaim its service territory. The township would help the effort by agreeing to provide one-half of its $75,000 fire tax fund allocation.

The township commissioners this week said it would provide Strawpump $37,500 when it distributes the money from its fire tax fund.

Strawpump Chief Ryan Senica told the commissioners that the department continues to work to have its ISO (Insurance Services Office) score improve from the 10 it received in 2024 — the worst possible rating.

“We’ve significantly rebuilt the department,” Senica told the commissioners. He has been chief since February and a member for 20 years.

It was that rating that prompted the township in November to divide Strawpump’s territory in the western end of the municipality between the Westmoreland City and the Fairmont-Hahntown fire companies.

After the meeting, Senica said he met with ISO representatives in the past two months and they have decided to delay the re-rating of the fire department from July, as previously anticipated, to January.

The ISO ratings, known as the Public Protection Classification, are a measure of how well prepared a fire department is to protect its community. Factors in the score include the fire department’s access to an adequate water supply, emergency communication system, community risk reduction training and its firefighting capabilities.

A score of 1 is the best, according to the ISO. The rating is a factor in the insurance premiums that residents pay for homeowner’s insurance.

Commissioner Tom Hempel, whose First Ward serves that section of the township, initially called for withholding all of its $75,000 distribution, but releasing the allocations to the other six fire companies. Strawpump would get its allocation when its ISO rating improves, Hempel said.

Senica said the department would be able to continue without the allocation, but is concerned how that delay in funding would be interpreted by the firefighters who have been working to improve the department.

“Does it make them (Strawpump members) feel they are outcasts on an island?” Senica asked commissioners.

The department faces a $10,000 repair bill for one of its vehicles and has additional costs for maintenance and upkeep of equipment, he added.

Commissioner Rich Gray said he favored releasing the money to Strawpump while Commissioner Ron Zona suggested releasing one-half of the allotment and holding back the remainder.

While commissioners were discussing options for the allocation to Strawpump, Commissioner Zachary Haigis, board president, said the township should have a policy that states a fire department’s allocation would be held by township if the fire insurance rating is unacceptable.

Under that proposal, the township would hold the allocation for an undetermined time. By having a policy, the fire departments would know about the guidelines for receiving the fire tax funds, Haigis said.

Craig Cochenour, president of the North Huntingdon Fire Chiefs Association, could not be reached for comment.

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