Western Chester County Life|
In a changing world, Keystone Valley Fire Department proves we are stronger together By Judith Lee WCCCC Contributor The world has changed, and Keystone Valley Fire Department (KVFD) continues to change with it. KVFD was a trendsetter in 2013 when it was formed as a consolidation of Pomeroy, Parkesburg, Atglen and Martins Corner volunteer fire departments. The consolidation of manpower and resources from these companies resulted in increased efficiency and a decrease in redundant sources. Together, the combined department has over 50 volunteers and 20 career staff and provides fire, rescue, and EMS services to approximately 11,000 residents in Parkesburg Borough, West Sadsbury Township, Sadsbury Township and Highland Township. KVFD’s motto is “Working Regionally to Survive Locally.” According to KVFD Chief Brian Gathercole, the consolidated fire company has achieved its initial goals and is stronger than it would be as separate local fire companies. However, the world continues to change, and KVFD today is an organization that is responding with an unflinching resolve. “Fire service is transitioning from all-volunteer to some paid career positions,” noted Chief Gathercole. “We still are strong in manpower but not in consistency. One day we can have 20 firefighters show up for a call, another day we can have two. In order to provide the best possible coverage we need the consistency to be the same all the time.”
This challenge arises from economic and demographic changes in Western Chester County and, well, everywhere: • Many residents travel 30 minutes or even more to their jobs and are not available to answer local fire calls during the day. • Family budgets are stretched thin due to a rising cost of living, and some breadwinners are working two jobs to make ends meet. • Longtime volunteers are aging, and some are unwilling or unable to maintain the county and state training requirements. • New residents may not be indoctrinated into the culture of volunteerism that has kept three, four and five generations of volunteers committed to local fire departments. “We have the same amount of challenges, but fewer people to address them,” noted Ed Haas, township supervisor for West Sadsbury Township, one of the municipalities in the KVFD Fire District. Chief Gathercole himself is an example of the Western Chester County culture of volunteerism. A dedicated public servant since 1994 and joining the Pomeroy fire company volunteer in 2005, he came into KVFD with the fire company consolidation. He served as KVFD Chief from 2014 to 2016, and then accepted the position again in 2021. But he is quick to shift attention from himself to the organization, which has performed with amazing commitment to the municipalities which make up the KVFD Fire District.
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2022 • Volume 10——
——Spring/Summer
