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.”  

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)

• 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? 

• 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: 

• Airport Firefighter
• Firefighter I
• Firefighter II
• Fire Officer I
• Fire Officer II
• Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I
• Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II
• Facility Fire Brigade Advanced Exterior
• Facility Fire Brigade Incipient

  Fire Investigator

• Fire Inspector I
• Driver/Operator — Aerial
• Driver/Operator — Aerial Tiller
• Driver/Operator — Mobile Water Supply
• Driver/Operator — Pumper
• Hazardous Materials Awareness
• Hazardous Materials Operations
• Hazardous Materials Technician
• Hazardous Materials Incident Commander
• Incident Safety Officer
• Local Level Fire Training Program
• Public Fire and Life Safety Educator I
• Public Fire and Life Safety Educator II
• Rescue Technician — Confined Space Level I & II
• Rescue Technician — General
• Rescue Technician — Rope Level I & II
• Rescue Technician — Structural Collapse Level I & II
• Rescue Technician — Surface Water Level I & II
• Rescue Technician — Trench Level I & II
• Rescue Technician — Vehicle and Machinery  Level I & II
• Traffic Incident Management Personnel (NFPA 1091)
• Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist
• Youth Firesetter Program Manager

Pennsylvania Fire Information Reporting System (PennFIRS)

• 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)

• 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. 

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:

• Participating Department Recognition Program
• Criteria for recognition

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.

FSRC QUESTIONS:

1. What is the current status of the WMFRA?

WEST MAYFIELD FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION OF WEST MAYFIELD

• Auditor General DeFoor Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 25 Counties
• West Mayfield Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association of West Mayfield – Beaver County – Audit Period January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022
• West Mayfield Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association of West Mayfield – Beaver County – Audit Period January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019
• The West Mayfield Volunteer Firemens Relief Association of West Mayfield – Beaver County – Audit Period January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017
• The West Mayfield Volunteer Firemens Relief Association of West Mayfield – Beaver County, Pennsylvania – 04/05/2016
• Fire Audits – West Mayfield VFRA – Beaver County – 08/05/13
• West Mayfield Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Association – Beaver County – Compliance Audit Report – 12/23/09
• West Mayfield VFRA found non-compliant in four areas during state audit

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:

• Hopewell Township County authorization for execution of a mutual aid agreement for fire protection services with other municipalities in Beaver County (See resolution).
• Beaver County Emergency Operations Plan Basic Plan (references mutual aid agreements).
• The secondary mission of the Beaver Falls Fire Department is to provide, when feasible, the same services to any community or agency when properly requested, as determined by existing and future mutual aid agreements (see website).
• Potter Township: Authorization to enter into agreements with certain municipalities. The Township hereby authorizes the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors to enter into written agreements in the form attached as Exhibit A, with the following municipalities . . . 
• The New Brighton Volunteer Fire Department is an all volunteer fire department consisting of 30 members. The fire department provides fire suppression, water rescue, rapid intervention, vehicle extrication, search and rescue, and hazardous material response to the Borough of New Brighton and the Borough of Fallston. The department also provides routine mutual aid to the neighboring townships of Daugherty, Rochester, and Pulaski, the Boroughs of Rochester and East Rochester, and the City of Beaver Falls. Since 1989, New Brighton has been a part of a county wide mutual aid agreement with all 56 county municipalities for shared resources among fire departments.

State statute authorizing intrastate mutual aid

• Health and Safety (35 PA.C.S.) – Intrastate Mutual Aid, Act of Oct. 8, 2008, P.L. 1098, No. 93
• Title 35: § 7504. Coordination, assistance and mutual aid.

Immediate Mutual Aid Responders

•  Chippewa Township Volunteer Fire Department
• Big Beaver Borough Volunteer Fire Company
• Patterson Township Volunteer Fire Company
• Patterson Heights Volunteer Fire Department
• White Township Volunteer Fire Department
• Darlington Township Volunteer Fire Department

All Fire/EMS Departments in Beaver County

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

• 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:

• 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.

• 2019 – Public Safety Day at Chippewa Home Depot
• 2017 – Public safety day at Chippewa Home Depot
• 2016 – Public safety day at Chippewa Home Depot
• 2013 – WMVFD Newsletter “The Volunteers” (cancelled)

WMVFD In the News

• 2024 – West Mayfield VFRA found non-compliant in four areas during state audit
• 2023 – Beaver Falls community raises money for family of volunteer firefighter killed in crash
• 2020 – Crews Respond To House Fires In New Brighton
• 2011 – West Mayfield woman killed in house fire
• 2008 – A shed was destroyed and a nearby building damaged by fire Saturday night in the borough

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.