Supervisors want to wait before fully returning Vernon Township VFD to service

Nov. 10--VERNON TOWNSHIP -- Supervisors stressed the need for more time and a closer look after one of the township's fire chiefs requested this week that his department be fully returned to service.

Vernon Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief David Lauderman addressed the condition of the department following a leadership shakeup in October, which saw the previous chief removed for safety concerns.

Lauderman said at Wednesday's Vernon Township supervisor work session that the department has 30 trained firefighters, one truck being serviced in Pittsburgh for a Tuesday return and another truck fully operational. He requested that Vernon Township VFD return to its share of the fire calls.

Currently, Vernon Central Hose Co. has primary operational command for fire and rescue services for the entire township. Vernon Township VFD provides QRS, or quick response service, for medical needs for its existing coverage area of the township and assists Vernon Central on fire calls.

Township supervisors directed Township Manager Robert Horvat to shift primary duties to Vernon Central in October. The shift stemmed from supervisors' concerns about a lack of firefighter training and equipment and fire truck maintenance at Vernon Township VFD.

Historically, Interstate 79 has divided the coverage areas of the township's two fire departments with Vernon Central to the west and Vernon Township to the east. Vernon Township VFD was out of service for two days in 2017 following a dispute between the chief at the time and the department's Board of Directors.

Supervisor Gary Wagner commended the Vernon Township VFD firefighters for stepping up to serve, calling them a "godsend for the township." Wagner also noted the previous administration had "let so many things go."

"When they have everything up to speed with their equipment and their trucks, at that point, it is time to make a request," Wagner said. "I want to make sure that everything that was let go is up and running properly before I would feel comfortable saying, 'OK, you're back on.'"

Supervisor J.J. Baiera agreed, saying he would wait until the department was more "solidified the way it used to be."

"Our house was not in order," Lauderman said, emphasizing the long hours involved in bringing back the department.

Wagner suggested that a few supervisors visit the fire station and get a closer look at Vernon Township VFD's operations and equipment. Supervisor Chairman Don Maloney said he would go with Wagner.

Vernon Central Hose Co. Chief John Fuller also spoke at the meeting, giving an overview of the department's activities since the beginning of summer. He said the department tested all of its hoses, nozzles, ground ladders and the ladder truck with a third-party company. He also mentioned the department's mutual agreement with Meadville Central Fire Department for fire protection has been "working fine" with "no lapse in fire protection for any of the area east of (Interstate) 79 to the township line."

Fuller also stated the department was looking to replace a heavy rescue vehicle and an "aged" engine with a rescue engine that combines the functions of both. He explained the combination vehicle would reduce maintenance and insurance costs as well as reduce the number of vehicles sent out for calls.

"This increases the response time and also puts our fire rescue unit there without having to bring an extra piece of equipment out on (Interstate) 79 and (Route) 322," Fuller said.

He also stated the cost of the combined rescue engine was $750,000 and could be higher than the price of the ladder truck.

Tyler Dague can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at tdague@meadvilletribune.com.

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