Perhaps you’ve been reading the recent letters to the editor about the fire service in Manheim Township. In fact, two more appear in today’s LNP – Always Lancaster.

Here’s the story on the Manheim Township Fire Department from its Website:

In November of 2007, a presentation was made to the members of our three volunteer stations regarding the future direction of fire rescue services in Manheim Township. An on-line survey was used to gauge the response of our members. A decision was reached to begin the planning process f or creation of a 10-15 year strategic plan to guide the future actions of Manheim Township Fire Rescue.

In January of 2008 a 13 member Strategic Plan Steering Committee was selected. The Committee was comprised of three representatives from each volunteer fire rescue station, two citizens-at-large from the community, and two representatives from Manheim Township government. In addition, two non-voting members from the East Petersburg Fire Company were also on this committee. The Committee later expanded to include three members from the Manheim Township Ambulance Association as well. The Committee held public meetings on the second Thursday of every month in the Commissioners meeting room at the Township building.

After almost 18 months of work and over 10 draft documents, a presentation was made to the Board of Commissioners. After some revisions, negotiations, and funding changes, the final version of the Manheim Township Fire Rescue Strategic Plan was adopted by municipal resolution 2009-38 on August 10, 2009.

Blue Rock Fire Rescue‘s consolidation path is similar. ” … each fire company committed $25,000.00 to an operating fund in order to finance the project and demonstrate commitment to the effort” that resulted in the consolidation of four separate fire departments into one.

Columbia’s in the consolidation planning process now; the Columbia Borough Fire Department website was activated in the fall of 2013. There’s a TAB at the Website labeled “Public Education” – unfortunately, there’s no documentation on the process shown.