Sipesville Volunteer Fire Company

In 1985 the Sipesville Volunteer Fire Company responded to 27 alarms; nearly twenty years later that call volume has more than quadrupled. This is a trend that has been witnessed by fire and EMS providers throughout the country. The industry standards that were acceptable in years past are now fading away and companies are being forced to upgrade equipment and acquire new training constantly. In addition to skyrocketing call volumes, the hazards faced by our rescuers continue to grow at an equally impressive rate. In recent years fire and EMS departments have been urged to seek bio-terrorism and homeland security training to fight threats both at home and abroad. Hazardous material situations also require a high level of training in order to be dealt with safely, and are a constant threat in our area especially with highways such as 219, Routes 30 and 31, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. In addition to these situations rescuers must also deal with the ever changing hazards involved with structural firefighting and vehicle rescue.

With the strain of increasing call loads and the constant need to upgrade equipment, many smaller fire departments are being forced to close their doors due to lack of manpower and growing financial burdens. The Sipesville Volunteer Fire Company consists of approximately 20 active members that handle administrative, financial, fundraising, maintenance, and firefighting duties. Keep in mind that not a single member ever receives compensation for their contributions of time and effort to the fire company. In addition, most members hold full or part time jobs and have families of their own.

Under the Pennsylvania State Constitution, each and every municipality is required to provide for fire protection. If Lincoln Township did not have the Sipesville Volunteer Fire Company, the township would have two options:

1). It would have to contract with a neighboring fire department, which means the residents would need to wait an additional 15 to 20 minutes for the first piece of apparatus to arrive to their emergency, reducing the chances of an accident victim surviving the golden hour or a burning home being saved.

Or

2). The township would need to create a full-time paid fire department with members being paid full-time salaries and benefits. The Sipesville Volunteer Fire Company averaged nine personnel on each call in 2004. If the township were to pay to have nine people on duty at a time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at a wage of $15 per hour, it would cost the township an additional $1,182,600 per year. This translates into a 43.8 mill tax increase over the current 3 mill tax rate. This means the cost to have a paid fire department would be more than the township, county and school taxes combined. It would cost a person with an $80,000 house another $1,752 per year along with all of their other taxes.

The services that the Sipesville Volunteer Fire Company provides to the residents of Lincoln Township are nearly invaluable. The money that these volunteers save the township is a testament to their dedication and of their concern for the well being of their neighbors. In addition to the time spent at fire calls, some members spend an equal or greater amount of time at training sessions in our county preparing for incidents of all types. Below is a sample of some of the certifications our members have earned.

-Seven members certified at the Firefighter I level
-Three members certified at the Firefighter II level
-Twelve members certified at the Hazardous Material Operations level
-Three members certified at the Hazardous Material Technician level
-Seven members certified at the Basic Vehicle Rescue Technician level
-Two members certified as Emergency Medical Technicians
-One member certified as a Paramedic

Additionally, in 2004 the Sipesville Volunteer Fire Company attained silver certification honors for having 75% of active members certified at the Firefighter I or II level through the State Fire Commissioner's office. The Company is one of two departments in the entire county to achieve this level (the only other is the Windber Fire Department, a much larger organization).

Remember that the fire company does not receive tax funding from Lincoln Township. Every dollar is earned through fundraisers and our annual fund drive. Please remember the goals of this selfless and valuable organization when you receive your fund drive letter or see any of the numerous fundraisers advertised throughout the community.