“Adams County municipalities should immediately implement a quarter-mill fire tax, and each fire company should engage in ‘meaningful discussion’ on possible mergers, according to a countywide study on fire services released Thursday.

“The study’s release caps a 14-month effort to assess fire protection within the county, and project future needs and challenges.

“The study is premised on the county continuing to rely on volunteers to provide fire protection, an alternative the study states costs a fraction of providing paid staff. In order for the volunteer system to continue, however, changes need to be considered, the study concludes.

“Among those suggestions is a need for more public funding.

“The $13,000 study, partially funded by the Adams County Council of Governments and led by consultant John S. Senft, results in part from interviews conducted with the county’s 20 fire companies.

“‘The consensus of the fire companies is they cannot remain solvent without increased support from their municipalities,’ the study states.

“Under Pennsylvania law, municipalities – not counties or the state – are responsible for providing public fire protection.

“The study recommends each of the county’s 34 municipalities implement a 0.25-mill dedicated fire tax. Fire-tax revenue could be used only for operating costs associated with fighting fires. And it would be awarded to companies based upon the actual total assessed value of properties within a company’s primary … .”

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Click here to read the FIRE STUDY FINAL REPORT.