Supervisors Deny Plans Are Under Way For A Fire Department

By Kerry Lippincott, Special to The Inquirer

Posted: March 25, 1990

Rumors are circulating in local fire departments that East Fallowfield Township - which is served by Modena, Westwood and Pomeroy Fire Companies - intends to form its own fire company within the township's boundaries.

Or that Modena Fire Company will relocate in East Fallowfield Township to

serve the residents.

But the rumors are false, East Fallowfield supervisors said at their work session Wednesday, in response to questions posed by Westwood and Pomeroy fire officials.

"I have heard rumors that East Fallowfield is requesting its own fire department and that there is a petition going around saying residents want their own fire company," Pomeroy Fire Chief Ray Campbell told the supervisors on Wednesday.

Supervisors responded that they had not formally discussed establishing a fire department, nor had they been presented a petition by residents.

Chairman Earl A. Doan said he had been approached by several residents inquiring about the feasibility of a local fire company, but he said that a lot of information would have to be gathered before supervisors would consider such a move.

Westwood Fire Chief Wayne Criswell, a East Fallowfield resident, said he opposed establishing a local fire company.

"The problem is that there is not an overflow of volunteers. If you create a fire company in the township, you'll rob volunteers from other stations," Criswell said. "It seems we get more and more stations, and we don't have the people to man the stations."

Modena, Westwood and Pomeroy Fire Companies have jointly served East Fallowfield since 1971.

The supervisors said they were satisfied with the service provided by the three companies.

"I can't say we would scrap what is a good operating thing in the township," Supervisor Ronald P. Scott said.