Borough of West Mayfield

Fire Service Review Committee

FIRE SERVICE PROVIDER

During July 2024, FSRC will hold a public meeting with representatives of the West Mayfield Fire Department, including the West Mayfield Firemen’s Relief Association to field questions regarding the organizations’ respective roles in providing and supporting fire prevention and fire protection in the borough. 

See the Invitation Letter to FSRC Fire Service Meeting.

The following persons are respectfully invited to assist and cooperate with the committee: 

West Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department

  • Line Officers: Fire Chief Lou Little, Asst. Fire Chief Wendy Harker, Captain Jamie Hoskinson, 1st Lt. Imogene Harker, 2nd Lt. Scotty Maxwell, Safety Officer Michael Caler
  • Fire Administration: President Lou Little, Vice President Wendy Harker, Treasurer Eli Kosanovich, Secretary Michael Caler

West Mayfield Firemens Relief Association

  • Administration: President Wendy Harker, Vice President Denise Sabella, Treasurer Ron Sano, Secretary Michael Caler

FSRC Questions for Fire Service Officers

Note: References to the “fire service” or “fire department” are synonymous with the West Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department (WMVFD). It is assumed that the line officers (e.g., Fire Chief or Assistant Fire Chief) of the fire service represent and speak for the organization. It is assumed that the officers of the West Mayfield Firemen’s Relief Association speak for this organization.


Borough Ordinances

  1. Does the fire service recognize a need to update and recodify borough ordinances related to public safety, especially fire prevention and fire protection matters?

  2. What recommended changes or amendments to the borough’s public safety ordinances would be favored by the fire service?  


Fire Service Agreement

  1. Does the fire service know of and have access to a written service agreement (i.e., contract) between the Borough of West Mayfield and the West Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department? 

  2. If currently no written fire service agreement exists defining the legal terms, conditions, operational duties, and financial obligations of the working relationship between the municipality and the WMVFD, would the fire service recommend the drafting of such a contract?     


Fire Service Charter

  1. Does the WMVFD have a fire service charter, and can it produce this document?


Fire Service Duties and Obligations

  1. Other than borough ordinances, what specifically defines the duties and obligations of the fire service?

  2. Is there any written policy?


Mutual Aid Agreements

  1. Has the fire service included borough council and committees (e.g., Fire & Police Committee, Finance & Litigation Committee), solicitor, emergency management coordinator, or other borough officials in the planing, drafting, and approval process of any specific mutual aid agreements currently in effect and operationalized by WMVFD and other municipal fire services?   

  2. Other than the basic county-wide mutual aid agreement, is the fire service engaged in any other mutual aid agreements with neighboring fire departments? Are these mutual aid agreements in writing? What are their terms and conditions? 

  3. Does the fire service enlist any local fire departments as automatic aid? 

  4. What is the fire department’s call list?

  5. Is Beaver Falls Fire Department on the call list?  


Real Estate

  1. Does the fire service know of and have access to a written lease agreement between the fire service and the Borough of West Mayfield regarding the use of the borough owned property currently known as WMVFD’s rear parking lot (plot #57, PARID: 520020116000)?  


Fire Prevention Code

  1. During 2022, the fire service informed council that the ISO insurance auditors recommended the adoption, by ordinance, of an international fire code. Has the fire service acted in any way to assist council in adopting this recommendation? 

  2. Does the fire service work with the Fire & Police Committee to regularly review and update if necessary the borough’s Fire Prevention Code?  


ISO Public Protection Classification 

  1. Does the fire service provide council, other borough officials, or make public in any way a current, complete, and unabridged copy of the ISO PPC report? 

  2. Has the fire service ever worked with borough officials to review and evaluate the ISO PPC report.

  3. Has the fire service ever created a corrective action plan to improve upon the report’s shortcomings and weaknesses? Has this plan ever been shared with local government? 


Fire Service Leadership, Membership, Organizational Standing

Leadership

    1. What are the fire service’s qualifications (competency & experience) for the ranks of Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant, Safety Officer, Fire Fighter? 

    2. What are the roles of these positions?

    3. Does the fire service abide by a written set of job descriptions?  

    4. Can the fire service provide documentary evidence of the leadership’s experience, qualifications, certifications, and training?   


Membership

    1. How does someone become a member (active emergency responder) of the fire service?

    2. Does the fire service require any professional pre-conditions or job experience to become an active emergency responder?  

    3. Does the fire service require that all active emergency responders be able-bodied (i.e., pass a basic physical fitness exam consistent with the duties of firefighting)? 

    4. Does the fire service require active emergency responders to obtain any  particular qualifications and certifications? 

    5. Does the fire service require emergency responders to complete a training and job performance curriculum? 

    6. Can the fire service provide documentary evidence of the membership’s experience, qualifications, certifications, and training?   


Organization

    1. Does the fire service hold any special recognition or professional status as an emergency response organization, such as a ranking in the State Fire Commissioners’ Certification Program? (Note: A good example would be Patterson Heights VFD’s Bronze Level Status, signifying that at least 50% of our members are Pro-Board Firefighter I certified.)

    2. Does the fire service have a good working relationship with other fire departments within the local fire service ecosystem? 

    3. How does the fire service compare itself to other local fire departments in terms of emergency response readiness and capability?  


Job Performance

  1. For the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 (YTD), how many incidents and of what type has the fire service responded to within the borough? 

  2. For the same years, how many out-of-borough incidents has the fire service responded to (i.e., mutual aid calls)? For these incidents, how did the fire service assist other municipalities? 

  3. What would be considered the fire service’s average incident response time, both within the borough and for mutual aid calls? 

  4. Between 2020 and 2024 (YTD), has the fire service dropped any calls (i.e., not been able to show up)?  


Council’s Fire & Police Committee

  1. How often and in what ways does council’s Fire & Police Committee formally meet with the fire service to discuss fire protection and fire prevention matters?


Professional Reports & Confirmation of Public Safety Readiness

  1. Does the fire service have a written policy that sets forth requirements and expectations for monthly and annual reporting to council?

  2. Has the Fire & Police Committee ever established written requirements and expectations for monthly and annual reporting to council?


Public Education & Communication

  1. In what ways does the fire service provide public education regarding fire prevention and fire protection matters? Is there an established program with goals, objectives, timeline, budget?

  2. Has the fire service ever asked council for monies to create such a program or to perform specific public education activities?  

  3. Does the fire service have a designated public education officer?    


Confirmation of West Mayfield Special Fire Police

  1. For those WMVFD members currently serving as special fire police, are there any documentary records attesting to their having been duly confirmed by the mayor (i.e., sworn into office), as required by state statute Title 35 §7434?


Budget & Finances

Fire Service Spending

WMFRA audits between 2012 – 2022 show the following fire service spending pattern over eleven years: 

    • Equipment purchased: average spent per year = $2,771 (total = $30,482)

    • Equipment maintenance: average spent per year = $897 (total = $9,871)

    • Training Expenses: average spent per year = $282 (total = $3,097)

    • Total Fire Services: average spent per year = $4,264 (total = $46,905)

    1. What is the real cost of providing fire service to the Borough of West Mayfield?

    2. Has this pattern of spending kept up with inflation and the rising costs of providing fire prevention and fire protection?  


Budgeting Process – Appropriations

    1. How does the fire service communicate its financial needs to local government?

    2. Does the fire service work with the Fire and Police Committee (or any other public safety representative in local government) to create a listing of financial or in-kind needs based on documentary evidence (e.g., financial records, invoices, receipts, cost increase notices, inflationary projections) that help justify appropriations requests?

    3. Does the fire service agree that the borough’s “Public Safety-Fire” budgets for 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 sufficiently satisfied the fire service’s operational needs? If not, where does the fire service locate budget deficiencies? Does the fire service recognize any areas of over budgeting?

    4. Does the fire service agree that the borough’s 2024 Public Safety-Fire budget will sustain the fire service through this year? If not, where does the fire service locate budget deficiencies?

    5. In January 2023, the fire service provided a roster of 20 names to the borough secretary to submit to the borough’s workers compensation carrier(s) the purpose of fire department workers compensation insurance coverage. Can the fire service identify and justify with supporting documentation each and every person on this list as to their active firefighter or emergency responder status or their “participating member” status providing regular support to the fire service (as defined in the state’s Workers Compensation Act?   

    6. Based on fire department reporting in the public record, the borough’s budgeted cash value of fuel provisioned in support of the fire department appears to be grossly and consistently miscalculated between 2020-2024. How can this be explained?  

    7. How are future Public Safety-Fire budget amounts calculated (e.g., based on multi-year actual spending trends, documented needs, invoicing, contract agreements)? 

    8. Actual spending data for Public Safety-Fire are missing or indeterminate in many public records, such as annual financial audits, council meeting minutes, Fire & Police Reports, Annual Fire Dept. reports. Can the fire service provide actual spending data for at least the Public Safety-Fire budget line items, such as gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel used for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 YTD?    


Budgeting Process – Forecasting

    1. With respect to near and long-term needs of the fire service, who in the organization is responsible for analyzing these needs, calculating costs, and conveying this information to council and the public?

    2. Does the fire service work with neighboring fire services to help identify future issues, costs, trends, etc. within the firefighting ecosystem?   


Municipal Fire Support Assessment

Fire Tax

    1. What is the position of the fire service regarding the creation of a millage-based fire tax or a flat fire protection fee based on utility billing or count of taxable properties?       


Tax Credit Incentives

    1. What is the position of the fire service regarding the creation of a tax credit incentive program for members of the volunteer fire department? 

End of Questions

The FSRC Fire Service page is a working project made public to promote open government, transparency, accuracy, and community engagement. The information appearing here is under constant revision. Some typographical errors may exist. Please bring any factual errors on this page to the attention of the committee. Only the committee’s final report to council (scheduled for the fall of 2024) should be considered official and binding. 

Fire Service Charter

  • FSRC: Is there a fire service charter?

Municipal Fire Service Agreement

  • FSRC: Is there a municipal fire service agreement?

As per a public records request, the Office of Borough Secretary/Treasurer has no documentation establishing or defining the current relationship between the Borough of West Mayfield and the West Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department.

Secretary Lansberry:  

As to any information that I have on the fire department, I am afraid that the only thing I have on record is what is found in our codified ordinances.  Unfortunately when I took over the position of secretary from Mr. Joseph Orosz, I didn’t receive all of the records that I should have.  I was given a filing cabinet with records and some old minutes books and that is all that I received.  Some of the records that I had, I stored in the loft above the garage.  At some point, Tommy Orosz, without authorization from anyone on council, decided to burn everything that was in the loft so any of my records that were in the loft were destroyed. (Source: FSRC email correspondence, March 13, 2024) 

Note: Perhaps the WMVFD has written documentation.  

Borough Ordinance

Borough’s Fire Related Ordinances (see text in pdf reader)

Administrative Code, Chapter 248 Volunteer Fire Department

The borough’s ordinance responsible for defining “Volunteer Fire Department.”  

Note: This section originated as “Ord. 92, passed 6-1-42” and council let it stand as part of the recodified ordinances of 1976.


Chapter 16: Fire Prevention Code

The borough’s ordinance responsible for defining fire prevention and fire protection is Fire Prevention Code.

Note: Last revised 1970. Does not contain ordinace adopting Act 93 Fire Insurance Escrow. Enforcement policies ambiguous. Reporting requirements to council weak and inadequate

The Brough’s designated fire service provider is the West Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department (WMVFD). The fire department, along with its support organization, the West Mayfield Firemen’s Relief Association of West Mayfield (WMFRA), are distinct and separate legal entities from the borough. Both WMVFD and WMFRA nominate and elect their leadership from their membership as they see fit.  

Source: West Mayfield Fire Department, Facebook page, January 20, 2024

WEST MAYFIELD VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Line Officers

  • Chief: Lou Little
  • Asst. Chief: Wendy Harker
  • Capt.: Jamie Hoskinson
  • 1st Lt.: Imogene Harker
  • 2nd Lt.: Scotty Maxwell
  • Safety: Michael Caler

Fire Administration

  • President: Lou Little
  • Vice President: Wendy Harker
  • Treasurer: Eli Kosanovich
  • Secretary: Michael Caler

WMVFD firefighters/first responders

Source: WMVFD roster of staff eligible for workers compensation insurance (see original document)

  1. Lou Little (FF, Beaver County Fire Police)
  2. Wendy Harker (FF, Beaver County Fire Police)
  3. Imogene Harker (FF, Beaver County Fire Police)
  4. Scott Maxwell (FF)
  5. Matthew Starr (FF, Beaver County Fire Police)
  6. Denise Sabella (FF, Beaver County Fire Police)
  7. Ray Evans Sr. (FF)
  8. Jamie Hoskinson (FF, Beaver County Fire Police)
  9. Ray Evans Jr. (FF)
  10. Hayden Boniphant (FF)
  11. Matt Drabick (FF)
  12. Jason Heaton (FF)
  13. Michael Caler (FF)   

WEST MAYFIELD FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION OF WEST MAYFIELD

Administration

  • President: Wendy Harker
  • Vice President: Denise Sabella
  • Treasurer: Ron Sano
  • Secretary: Michael Caler

 

As per the borough secretary-treasurer, there is no written fire service agreement on record between the Borough of West Mayfield and the West Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department. Without a fire service agreement, the terms and conditions, duties and obligations of fire revention and fire protection are unclear.  

As per the borough secretary-treasurer, there is no written fire service agreement on record between the Borough of West Mayfield and the West Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department. Without a fire service agreement, the terms and conditions, duties and obligations of fire revention and fire protection are unclear.  

Fire Service Reporting (Via council’s Fire & Police Committee)

  • See Council Meeting Minutes

Borough’s Fire Related Ordinances (see text in pdf reader)

 
The borough’s ordinance responsible for defining “Volunteer Fire Department.”
 
OBSERVATIONS
    • The borough’s ordinance responsible for defining “Volunteer Fire Department.”
    • This section originated as “Ord. 92, passed 6-1-42” and let stand as part of the recodified ordinances of 1976.

Chapter 16: Fire Prevention Code

The borough’s ordinance responsible for defining fire prevention and fire protection is Fire Prevention Code.

OBSERVATIONS

        • Last revised 1970
        • Does not contain ordinace adopting Act 93 Fire Insurance Escrow
        • Enforcement policies ambiguous
        • Reporting requirements to council weak and inadequate
 
FSRC QUESTIONS:
  • For each WMVFD first responder:
    • What are their credentials and certifications?
    • Is there documentary proof of credentials and certifications?
    • Is there a documented list of training received? 
    • Do they belong to or are they active in any professional organizations or associations? 
  • Does the fire service belong to any local, state, regional, or national professional organizations? 
 
Available qualifications and certifications for WMVFD first responders?
  • Essentials of Firefighting
  • Fire Fighter I Certification
  • Fire Fighter II Certification
  • Sworn Fire Police

Certification Levels Presently Offered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner: 

Pennsylvania Fire Information Reporting System (PennFIRS)

See table for known reported WMVFD incidents 2020-2024. 2020 – 2023
  • Total: 215 incidents
  • Average: 53.7/year
  • Average: 4.25/month
  • Most calls (any month): 9
  • Least calls (any month): 1 (“0” listed twice in 2021 are missed reports)
FSRC questions:
  • Type of calls? Outcomes?
  • Automatic vs. mutual aid assisting WMVFD?
  • Number of mutual aid calls, where, type of assistance rendered?
  • Resources required for each call:
    • Financial cost?
    • Dept. hours?
    • Staff hours?
  • Are there written incident reports?


West Mayfield – 2022 Annual Audit

Revenues

  • from state: Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Distribution = $5,529

Ependitures

  • from General Fund “Public Safety – Fire” = $23,089
  • from Special Revenue [accounts] (Including State Liquid Fuels) = $N/A
  • cost of fire hydrants (listed as “water system”) = $3,800
  • reported total spending “Public Safety – Fire” = $23,089

Notes:

  1. In this report, the total for “Public Safety – Fire”does not specify the cost of fire hydrants. West Mayfield’s report lists the hydrant cost under the “Water System” category. It is unclear if other municipalities do the same.
  2. In these reports, the Foreign Fire Tax Distribution is listed as general fund revenue. It is unclear if these monies are also listed a general fund expenditures under “Public Safety – Fire” as this category is not itemized in these reports. The practice seems to be to treat the Foreign Fire Tax Distribution as a general fund expenditure.

2024 WMVFD Roster

July 11, 2024: As per B. J. Gianguillo, President H.A. Thompson, the borough’s Workers Compensation Insurance renews September 2024. WMVFD must submit roster of names, including classification as to who is an active firefighter, support staff, and/or fire police.  

2024 WMVFD Roster

See original document received from the borough secretary on July 19, 2024. 

  1. Lou Little (FF, Beaver County Fire Police)
  2. Wendy Harker (FF, Beaver County Fire Police)
  3. Imogene Harker (FF, Beaver County Fire Police)
  4. Scott Maxwell (FF)
  5. Matthew Starr (FF, Beaver County Fire Police)
  6. Denise Sabella (FF, Beaver County Fire Police)
  7. Ray Evans Sr. (FF)
  8. Jamie Hoskinson (FF, Beaver County Fire Police)
  9. Ray Evans Jr. (FF)
  10. Hayden Boniphant (FF)
  11. Matt Drabick (FF)
  12. Jason Heaton (FF)
  13. Michael Caler (FF)
  14. Eli Kosanovich (admin support)    

2023 WMVFD Roster

Submitted to borough secretary, January 21, 2023. See original document, received from borough secretary on June 9, 2024.

  1. Paul Farkas
  2. Ron Sano
  3. Bill Heaton
  4. Lou Little
  5. Wendy Harker
  6. Arlena Harker
  7. Eli Kosanovich
  8. Imogene Harker
  9. Scott Maxwell
  10. Ben Langer
  11. Matthew Starr
  12. Denise Sabella
  13. Ray Evans Sr.
  14. Jamie Hoskinson
  15. Cody Vorderrbrueg
  16. Ray Evans Jr.
  17. Hayden Boniphant
  18. Matt Drabick
  19. Jason Heaton
  20. Michael Caler     

Source: Pennsylvania Laws Related to Emergency Services

Municpal Insurance Requirements

Workers Compensation Insurance

  • Obligatory
  • Referenced in state statutes
  • Referenced in borough ordinances

Death/Injury Insurance

  • Discretionary
  • Referenced in state satutes
  • Not referenced in borough ordinances

Subchapter E. Volunteer Firefighters § 7401. Scope of chapter [35 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 (relating to volunteer firefighters)]. Page 277 Rev. 2/14/20PENNSYLVANIA LAWS RELATING TO EMERGENCY SERVICES This chapter relates to volunteer firefighters. (35 Pa.C.S. § 7401) § 7403. Insurance and compensation. A city, borough or township may expend out of the public funds of the municipality an amount necessary to secure insurance or compensation for volunteer firemen killed or injured while going to, returning from or attending fires in the municipality or territory adjacent thereto. (35 Pa.C.S. § 7403)


Liability Insurance

  • Discretionary

RTKL request: 

Is the borough obligated by state statute, Borough Code, or local ordinance to provide liability insurance and bonding coverage for the borough’s designated fire service provider, and if so does the “Insurance & Bonding” line item in municipal budgets attest to satisfying this specific fiscal obligation? 

[Pat Lansbery, borough secretary-treasurer] I do not have the answer to that question – are we obligated to provide liability insurance?  I have gone through my records and found nothing to document such an obligation.  If there was such an obligation, the ordinance or any documentation was either not handed down to me by the previous secretary or it was in the boxes of files that were stored in the loft of the garage and burned by a borough employee without our permission to do so. 

Is the expenditure of municipal funds for fire service “Insurance & Bonding” actually paid by the borough directly to an insurance carrier on behalf of the West Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department (e.g., $6,188 paid in June 2023 by check #2378 to “VFIS” for “Fire Department 2023 Insurance Premium”) or is the monies for “Insurance & Bonding” ever paid directly to the WMVFD so that the fire department may appropriate the necessary insurance and bonding coverage themselves? 

[Pat Lansbery, borough secretary-treasurer] The funds are paid directly to the insurance carrier and have never been given to the fire department to render payment.

Source: Borough Code

§ 1202. Specific powers [of borough]. The powers of the borough shall be vested in the council. In the exercise of any specific powers involving the enactment of an ordinance or the making of any regulation, restriction or prohibition, the borough may provide for enforcement and penalties for violations. The specific powers of the borough shall include the following: 

(24) To enter into agreements with other political subdivisions, in accordance with existing laws, in making joint purchases of materials, supplies or equipment and in performing governmental powers, duties and functions and in carrying into effect provisions of 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 23 Subch. A (relating to intergovernmental cooperation), and agreements with the proper authorities of municipal corporations, regional police or fire forces or other public safety or governmental entities created by two or more municipal corporations under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 23 Subch. A, either for mutual aid or assistance in police and fire protection or any other public safety services, or for the furnishing to or receiving from the municipal corporations or governmental entities police and fire protection or any other public safety services, and to make appropriations for public safety services. In connection with agreements for police or fire protection or any other public safety services, it shall not be necessary to advertise for bids or receive bonds as required for contracts under existing law. When an agreement has been entered into, the police, firefighters, fire police or any other public safety services of the employing municipal corporation or governmental entity shall have the powers and authority conferred by law on police, firefighters, fire police or any other public safety services in the territory of the municipal corporation which has contracted to secure the service.

(25) To make contracts of insurance, with any mutual or other fire insurance company, association or exchange, duly authorized by law to transact insurance business in this Commonwealth, on any building or property owned or leased by the borough.

(26) To provide for other insurance as follows: (i) To appropriate an amount as may be necessary to secure insurance or compensation in accordance with Article VI of the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), known as the Workers’ Compensation Act, for: (A) volunteer firefighters of companies duly recognized by the borough, by motion or resolution, killed or injured while going to, returning from or attending fires or while performing their duties as special fire police; 

 


OSFC Insurance Requirement

Title 4 Emergency management Agency

Chapter 113: Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance Service and Rescuse Squad Assistance

§ 113.307. Insurance.

 The volunteer company shall maintain insurance in form and substance satisfactory to, and in amounts required by, the OSFC, evidenced by a certificate of insurance furnished by the volunteer company for the benefit of the OSFC, other encumbrance holders and the volunteer company. The OSFC shall be listed as loss payee on the policy or certificate of insurance. The certificate of insurance shall contain a statement or rider that the insurance company shall give the OSFC 30 days advance notice whenever the amount of insurance coverage or other terms of the insurance are modified or cancelled.

The provisions of this §  113.307 adopted December 23, 1982, effective December 25, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 4333; amended December 18, 1992, effective December 19, 1992, 22 Pa.B. 6019. 

WMVFD Self-Supporting Resources
 
Fundraising Activities
  • 2024 – Tip Board Raffle
  • 2023 – Tip Board Raffle
  • 2023 – Car Cruise Fundraiser
  • 2023 – Election Day Soup and Bake Sale
  • 2023 – Breakfast Fundraiser
  • 2022 – Breakfast Fundraiser
  • 2019 – Breakfast Fundraiser
  • 2019 – Car Cruise Fundraiser
  • 2018 – Breakfast Fundraiser
  • 2017 – Breakfast Fundraiser
  • 2016 – Breakfast Fundraiser
  • 2015 – Breakfast Fundraiser

Social Hall Rentals

  • Borough provides online reservation support via borough website. 

Park Shelter Rental Concession

  • Concession recinded by council, February 2024 

Grants

  • Periodic financial grants from Office of Pa Fire Commissioner

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner, Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, Pennsylvania Fire Service Certification Advisory Committee:

STATE FIRE COMMISSIONER RECOGNITION PROGRAM

Participating Department Recognition Program – Participating Department is a program that Commonwealth emergency responders have an opportunity to participate in and be recognized as a certified fire professional at various levels in accordance with nationally recognized and sanctioned Professional Qualification standards. The purpose is to recognize those organizations that support, promote, and encourage their emergency response personnel to voluntarily certify within the Commonwealth’s Certification Program administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

WMVFD: Not participating or <10%


2023-2024 Fire Commissioner Grant

Fire Company, Emergency Medical Services Company Grant Program

IMPORTANT GRANT PROGRAM REMINDERS – All final reports must be submitted electronically via your grant application. Grant Agreements for the 2023-24 grant cycle must be submitted to the OSFC by July 1, 2024.

West Mayfield’s ISO PPC Rating 
 
As reported by council’s Fire and Police committee chair in April 2022, the Borough of West Mayfield received a PPC rating of class 6, which is considered to be below average (in the bottom 43%), and certainly worse than many of our municpal neighbors.
 
A search of the published council meeting minutes from July 2019 to date reveals only three mentions of West Mayfield’s ISO fire service rating (aka, Public Protection Classification or PPC):
  • March 10, 2022: “Fire & Police – Ms. Harker – everything is good at the fire department. She is getting information requested by ISO insurance.”
  • April 14, 2022: “Fire & Police – Ms. Harker – The ISO insurance inspection has been complete and the fire department received a rating of 6. In order to get a higher rating you must have paid fire fighters. The borough needs to adopt an international fire code and adopt an ordinance for it.”
  • October 13, 2022: “Fire & Police – Ms. Harker ISO insurance required all kinds of records and we were given a top rating after the records were reviewed.”
 
The current ISO Fire Rating report as of April 16, 2024 shows West Mayfield’s PPC rating of class 5, which is considered average. However, our community scored 50.54 out of 105.5 possible points, placing it near the below average classification.  
 
 

ISO Fire Service Rating

The Insurance Services Office (ISO) evaluates public fire-protection services and classifies a community’s ability to suppress fires.

The Public Protection Classification system provides an objective, national standard that helps fire departments in plan and budget for facilities, equipment and training. And by securing lower fire insurance premiums for communities with better public protection, the PPC program provides incentives and rewards for communities that choose to improve their firefighting services.

The PPC grade assigned to the community will depend on the community’s score on a 100-point scale:

PPC Points
1 = 90.00 or more
2 = 80.00 to 89.99
3 = 70.00 to 79.99
4 = 60.00 to 69.99
5 = 50.00 to 59.99
6 = 40.00 to 49.99
7 = 30.00 to 39.99
8 = 20.00 to 29.99
9 = 10.00 to 19.99
10 = 0.00 to 9.99

An ISO rating of class 1 is the hightest, class 10 is the lowest.  For reference, here is an example of a class 1 ISO Fire Rating report from Mt. Leganon, Pa.

 

FSRC QUESTIONS

  • What mutual aid agreements exist between WMVFD and surrounding municipalities?
  • What and where are the written mutual aid agreements between the parties of the Borough of West Mayfield, WMVFD, the West mayfield Emergency Management Office and surrounding municipalities and/or agencies?
  • What are the mutual aid protocols?
  • In what ways do surrounding communities assist WMVFD and vice versa?
  • What is the nature of the working relationship between WMVFD and neighboring mutual aid providers? 
  • How do the following impact WMVFD?
    • Beaver County Emergency Management Agency (BCEMA)
    • Pennsylvania Intrastate Mutual Aid System
    • Beaver County Fire Mutual Aid Agreement

References:

 

 

State statute authorizing intrastate mutual aid


Immediate Mutual Aid Responders

 

All Fire/EMS Departments in Beaver County

StationDepartmentAddressCityZipMunicipality
1Crescent Twp VFD79 McGovern BlvdCrescent15046Crescent Twp
11Beaver Falls FD715 15th StreetBeaver Falls15010Beaver Falls
12Enon Valley VFD95 Cass StreetEnon Valley16120Enon Valley
13North Sewickley VFD887 Mercer RoadBeaver Falls15010Beaver Falls
14Big Beaver VFC621 Friendship RoadDarlington16115Big Beaver Boro
15New Galilee VFD606 Centennial AvenueNew Galilee16141New Galilee
17Koppel VFD5525 Fifth AvenueKoppel16136Koppel
18Darlington Twp VFD3590 Darlington RoadDarlington16115Darlington Twp
19Homewood VFD464 Main StreetBeaver Falls15010Beaver Falls
21Bell Acres VFD1850 Big Sewickley Creek RoadSewickley15143Sewickley
22Chippewa Twp VFD2568 Darlington RoadBeaver Falls15010Chippewa Twp
23Rochester Twp VFD632 California AvenueRochester15074Rochester Twp
24Vanport Twp VFD435 Jefferson AvenueVanport15009Vanport Twp
25East Rochester VFD4th Street & Lyons AvenueEast Rochester15074Rochester
26Big Knob VFD1229 Route 989Rochester15074New Sewickley Twp
27Freedom VFD901 Third AvenueFreedom15042Freedom
28Bridgewater VFD619 Market StreetBridgewater15009Bridgewater
29South Side VFD90 Beaver StreetNew Brighton15066Rochester
30Leetsdale VFD85 Broad StreetLeetsdale15056Leetsdale
33Patterson Heights VFD600 Seventh AvenueBeaver Falls15010Beaver Falls
34Potter Twp VFD206 Mowry RoadMonaca15061Potter Twp
35Raccoon Twp VFD4061 Patterson RoadAliquippa15001Raccoon Twp
36Center Twp VFD #13385 Brodhead RoadCenter Twp15001Center Twp
37Center Twp VFD #2108 Grandview AvenueMonaca15061Center Twp
38Center Twp VFD #3110 Vankirk DriveMonaca15061Center Twp
39Ohioville VFD108 Salem Church RoadMidland15059Ohioville
44White Twp VFD2515 Thirteenth AvenueBeaver Falls15010White Twp
45South Heights VFD4069 Jordan StreetSouth Heights15081South Heights Boro
46Fair Oaks VFD190 Ambridge AvenueFair Oaks15003Fair Oaks
47Baden VFD47 Firehouse LaneBaden15005Baden
48Harmony Twp VFD2400 Beaver RoadAmbridge15003Harmony Twp
49Conway VFD1208 3rd AvenueConway15027Conway Boro
50Fallston VFD90 Beaver StreetFallston15066Fallston Boro
56Monaca VFD #1928 Pennsylvania AvenueMonaca15061Monaca Boro
57Monaca VFD #4913 Taylor AvenueMonaca15061Monaca Boro
58Monaca VFD #5920 Atlantic AvenueMonaca15061Monaca Boro
59Pine Run VFD1691 9th Street ExtensionFreedom15042New Sewickley Twp
60Hookstown VFD102 Silver Slipper RoadHookstown15050Greene Twp
61South Beaver VFD740 St Route 168Darlington16115Darlington
63Brighton VFDPO Box 498Beaver15009Brighton Twp
68Hanover VFD2697 State Route 18Hookstown15050Hookstown
69Economy VFD2854 Conway-Wallrose RoadBaden15005Economy Boro
70Franklin Twp VFD808 Old Zelienople RoadEllwood City16117Franklin Twp
71Ambridge VFD600 Eleventh StreetAmbridge15003Ambridge
80Independence VFD116 School RdAliquippa15001Independence Twp
84New Brighton VFD610 3rd AvenueNew Brighton15066New Brighton
86Daugherty VFD4198 Marion Hill RoadNew Brighton15066Daugherty Twp
89Pulaski Twp VFD3401 Sunflower RoadNew Brighton15066Pulaski Twp
90Patterson Twp VFC319 Darlington RdBeaver Falls15010Patterson Twp
91Aliquippa Bureau of Fire1499 Kennedy BlvdAliquippa15001Aliquippa
92Hopewell Twp VFDMckinnley AvenueAliquippa15001Hopewell Twp
95Midland VFD936 Midland AveMidland15059Midland
96Shippingport VFD163 Route 3016Shippingport15077Shippingport
97Industry VFD1711 Ohio AvenueIndustry15052Industry Boro
99West Mayfield VFD3612 Knape StreetBeaver Falls15010West Mayfield Boro
101Beaver VFD165 Market StreetBeaver15009Beaver
103Ellwood City VFD411 6th StreetEllwood City16117Ellwood City

Source: https://www.pafirefighters.com/beaver.htm

 

What is the status or condition of WMVFD’s emergency response equipment and materiel?

Fire Apparatus (Vehicles)

July 11, 2024: As per B. J. Gianguillo, President of H.A. Thompson, the borough pays for liability (no collision) insurance coverage for fire department vehicles. At the council meeting, Mr. Gianguillo updated the list of fire department vehicles covered with liability insurance (no collision) by H.A. Thompson company:

  1. 1971 LaFrance Pumper
  2. 1996 International Engine
  3. 2012 E450 Rehab Bus
  4. Add 2000 Command Vehicle Pick Up
  5. Remove 1989 Ford Squad 
  • Mr. Gianguillo recommended raising deductables to save money for borough.
  • Insurance company will be needed for the Command Vehicle

Fire Station & Social Hall

Pa C S Title 53, § 8812.  Exemptions from taxation.

(a)  General rule.–The following property shall be exempt from all county, city, borough, town, township, road, poor, county institution district and school real estate taxes:

(3)  All hospitals, universities, colleges, seminaries, academies, associations and institutions of learning, benevolence or charity, including fire and rescue stations, with the grounds annexed and necessary for their occupancy and use, founded, endowed and maintained by public or private charity as long as all of the following apply:

(i)  The entire revenue derived by the entity is applied to support the entity and to increase the efficiency and facilities of the entity, the repair and the necessary increase of grounds and buildings of the entity and for no other purpose.

15)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) or any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, all fire and rescue stations which are founded, endowed and maintained by public or private charity, together with the grounds annexed and necessary for the occupancy and use of the fire and rescue stations, and social halls and grounds owned and occupied by fire and rescue stations and used on a regular basis for activities which contribute to the support of fire and rescue stations, as long as the net receipts from the activities are used solely for the charitable purposes of the fire and rescue stations.


Land Lot #57 (Parking Lot)

  • Location: W. 8th Ave., Behind Fire Station
  • PARID: 520020116000
  • PTLOT 57 ED PL
  • Owned by West Mayfield Borough
  • .25 acres
  • Classified as “Exempt” 
  • Purchased by borough in 1930
  • Current Assessment: $39, 600

Source: Beaver County Property Records

EMA (Emergency Management)

Pennsylvania’s Emergency Management Services Code (Title 35) directs and authorizes every political subdivision (i.e. county, city, borough, and townships) to have an emergency management program that includes a trained Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC), an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), and a functioning Emergency Operations Center (EOC) with a trained staff.

Source: Beaver County Emergency Management

What is the confirmation status of WMVFD Special Fire Police? 
 
The ultimate oversight authority in local government rests with our elected officials–councilmembers and mayor. Some oversight duties (and authority to enforce them) are clearly spelled out in state statutes, the Borough Code, and our own municipal ordinances. But sometimes such authority is vague and sometimes, there are direct challenges to authority–and disregard. For years we’ve heard representatives of the West Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department emphatically state that the mayor has no authority to swear in fire police. But the law, as we read the text, says differently. 
 
  • Pennsylvania Consolidated Statues Title 35, Chapter 74 Volunteer Firefighters, Subchapter D Special Fire Police addresses the matter of “special fire police;” and
  • Subchapter D Special Fire Police defines the confirmation process of special fire police:

§ 7434. Confirmation. Special fire police nominated under this subchapter shall, before they enter upon their duties, be confirmed by the mayor of the city, the mayor of the borough or town, the chairman of the board of commissioners or supervisors of the township or the chief executive officer of a home rule municipality, as the case may be.

  • The mayor of the Borough of West Mayfield has the express statutory obligation to confirm by oath any persons duly nominated by the West Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department to serve as a special fire police agent of the department. 

West Mayfield Volunteer Fire Dept.

Source: Beaver Falls Area Centennial, 1968, p. 57.

West Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department first was organized in 1929, and chartered Nov. 25, 1930. First officers were: David Schutte, president; David Jones, vice president; Martin Patterson, secretary; Joseph Stein, treasurer.

Mainly because of lack of money and the depression, the company was disbanded. It was reorganized in April 1938.

At this time, the treasury balance was $146 and activities were begun to raise money for purchasing equipment.

In August 1938, the first truck was purchased from Pulaski Township. Meetings were at Edwards School and later in the borough building.

In 1939, a Ladies Auxiliary was organized. In 1940, it had raised sufficient money to purchase a tent, which was donated to the firemen. The tent was rented to various organizations during carnivals and street fairs and proved to be a good source of income.

Late in 1949, discussions were started regarding the building of a new station. After consultation with the auxiliary and council, an offer was made for a piece of land and financial aid from the auxiliary was promised. The new fire station was built and dedicated in 1952.

In 1956, the company installed radios in the building and in the truck. All calls were received by Beaver Falls base station. Prior to this, all fire calls were received by the West Gate office of the Babcock & Wilcox Co. Personnel there would activate the siren and see that the department had the correct location of the fire.

West Mayfield became a member of Zone One, which consists of 14 fire departments. In 1956, the company obtained a new pumper for $13,000. This addition gave the department two pieces of equipment.

In 1958, a new addition was made to the fire station. Since that time, the Fire Department has purchased radio monitors for each fireman and other equipment necessary to update efficiency.

Present president is Paul McCutcheon and William Teasdale is Chief.


Source: Beaver Falls Area Centennial, 1968, pp. 195-196

West Mayfield Auxiliary

The Ladies Auxiliary to West Mayfield Fire Department was organized in February 1939 with Lila Dawson as president, Mary Stein, vice president, Pearl Hughes, secretary, and Flora Calhoun, treasurer. Meetings first were held in the borough building. They are now held at the fire hall. A charter was purchased in 1947 and the group has been instrumental in various fundraising programs. Community affairs, the annual banquet and the Christmas treat for neighborhood children are the group’s major activities.  The auxiliary has 40 members and Adele Brelloch is president.

GENERAL AREAS OF INQUIRY