Steering Committee for the Consolidation of Citizens Fire & Rescue Company #2 and Washington Fire Company No.

1
Findings and Framework for the Future of Firefighting in Mechanicsburg

Committee Meetings
Met monthly since November 2012 1.5 hour per meeting (often longer) Open dialogue, open agenda

Topics Covered in Meetings

Past efforts at consolidation Goals of committee Financial health of the fire companies Inventory of assets and equipment

Topics Covered in Meetings

Benefits of consolidation Fundraising State of existing fire houses Future of firefighting in Mechanicsburg

Findings
First: This current consolidation effort is a culmination of past efforts. We would like to acknowledge the efforts of all of those who have come before us on this path.

Findings
Second: We determined that the primary goal of this committee should be: To determine if a consolidation is possible and if so, is a consolidation practical and if so, to present a general framework for such a consolidation, not a detailed plan.

Findings
Third: We reviewed the financials of the fire companies and determined that the finances of the two fire companies would not be an impediment to consolidation.

Findings
Fourth: Tangible Benefits of Consolidation Include: Shared manpower Shared assets Reduced equipment and apparatus requirements Efficiencies in operations and management Efficiencies in fundraising Renewed interest in serving the community.

Findings
Fifth: The volunteers of both houses are forced to spend an inordinate amount of time fundraising. This takes time away from their ability to train, drives down morale, and creates difficulties in recruiting and retaining members.

Findings
Sixth: The current model for funding the fire companies is inadequate to meet the long-term needs of the community. Most critically, aging equipment and apparatus cannot be replaced due to lack of funding.

Findings
Seventh: Current fire houses are nearing obsolescence and endanger the safety and well being of the volunteers. It is not practical or prudent to invest the money needed to correct safety issues due in part to the functional restrictions present.

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Eighth: Most prudent course for modernizing fire house facilities is to construct new facilities, rather than renovating existing facilities.

Findings
Ninth: Financial assistance from the community is required via a new Fire Tax, which would facilitate: Immediate financial stability from an operating budget perspective Funding for debt service payments to finance construction of new facilities Funding for ongoing equipment and asset replacement

Findings
Tenth: In a scenario that included consolidation and the implementation of a Fire Tax, both fire houses would be prepared to: Sell existing facilities and redundant assets. Create a new streamlined fundraising program to contribute to operational and asset allocation budgets on an annual basis. Continue to invest intangible and historic human equity

Findings
The Borough, Citizens, and Washington should enter into a Memorandum of Understanding that memorializes steering committee findings and provides the basis for pursuing consolidation and a sustainable future for the provision of firefighting services in Mechanicsburg (Memorandum Supplied by Committee)