Millcreek Township could soon see significant changes to the way its volunteer firefighters are organized.
The Millcreek Township Fire Department’s quarterly meeting Thursday night included discussion of a proposed municipal volunteer program that would allow volunteers to serve directly through the township rather than through independent fire companies.
Officials said the proposal is part of a broader effort to create a more unified fire service while continuing to support both paid and volunteer firefighters.
In addition to the proposed volunteer program, the Fire and EMS Commission discussed adding a full-time training coordinator to the township’s 2027 budget. Members also reviewed potential updates to volunteer relief funding.
Assistant Fire Chief Will Anderson said the discussions build on recommendations made by the Fire and EMS Commission several years ago.
“This is something that the Fire and EMS Commission said back in 2022, that we needed to move to a paid fire department. So now the paid department is complementing the volunteers, and vice versa. We’re trying to work together to provide the best possible service to residents and visitors in Millcreek Township, regardless of whether we’re paid or not,” Anderson said.
Township officials say the overall goal is to strengthen coordination between career and volunteer firefighters while ensuring the community continues to receive reliable emergency services.
Additional discussions on the proposed municipal volunteer program are expected as township leaders continue to refine the plan.