Gentleman’s agreement no longer works for fire service in Waynesboro

A member of the Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Department went to the Virginia Avenue fire station on Feb. 1 and discovered the gas and electric had been shut off.

That’s symbolic of a larger schism that’s developed between the Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Department and the Borough of Waynesboro amid talks to create a formal memorandum of understanding between the two entities.

Use-of-force decisions:Police train in house slated for rehab by Habitat for Humanity

State recognizes Waynesboro library:Walking Librarian program earns Health Literacy award

Borough representatives say volunteers are a key component of fire protection, but times have changed, an unwritten gentleman’s agreement is no longer enough and it’s time to sit down and figure out how to move forward.

The MOU would cover facilities, apparatus, tools, equipment and personnel. Talks started in September, the last negotiating session in the fall ended badly when the volunteers walked out and, as of Monday, Feb. 27, the two sides have been unable to agree on when to meet again.

Two letters from fire company officers that were given to borough council members in December say they feel the borough has turned its back on the volunteers who have “been the blood, sweat and tears of this fire department for 143 years.”

Volunteers want their voices heard so “we can address these concerns and can move forward positively to save lives and protect property.”

What are the logistics of fire service in Waynesboro?

Waynesboro has a long history of volunteer fire service, with the Mechanics Steam Fire Engine and Hose Co. located on Virginia Avenue and the Always There Hook and Ladder Co. located on South Potomac Street. The two merged about 10 years ago to form the Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Department Inc.

The borough is served by a combination paid staff of firefighters/EMTs and volunteers. Chris Devers was hired as full-time fire chief in August 2021 after the department operated for many of years with a volunteer chief, who was paid a stipend.

The South Potomac Street fire station is owned by the borough, while Virginia Avenue is owned by the volunteers.

The career staff is all located at South Potomac Street. Apparatus is housed at both stations. Much of the apparatus is owned by the fire company because it is in a better position to secure grants and low-interest loans, as well as conduct fundraising.

Why do Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Co. officers think there is no trust with the borough?

The Dec. 7 letter signed by the Waynesboro Fire Volunteer Fire Department Inc. Board of Directors, whose ranks represent many years of volunteer service and include former chiefs, was in direct reaction to a Dec. 3 email from Borough Manager Jason Stains indicating that because borough firefighters aren’t housed at Virginia Avenue, the borough would no longer pay for utilities.

The officers say paying for the utilities helps the volunteers “in their every day operations in a time when funds (have) become more difficult to raise.” The letter also mentions the borough still has some smaller apparatus at Virginia Avenue and points out the WVFD has spent about $3.2 million on current apparatus, including large vehicles like the engine pumper, rescue engine and ladder truck, as well as small equipment such as hoses, ladders and self-contained breathing apparatus used by both volunteers and career staff.

“We are very perplexed and find it very concerning the manner in which the volunteers are being treated with a lack of respect by the current Waynesboro Fire Department first administration,” the letter says.

It addresses stalled negotiations concerning the memorandum of understanding, volunteer drivers being removed without notification, volunteer fire officer positions not being filled and a lack of communication between the fire administration and line officers.

“It appears more every day the borough does not wish to assist any more than they have to, by cutting as much financial and moral support as they can,” the letter continues. The volunteers “have sacrificed to fight fires, make the rescues at horrible accidents, performed fundraising, paid for apparatus replacement, equipment, training and more activities with free time out of their everyday lives, all while not being paid.”

In a followup letter Dec. 21, Terry Reiber, first vice president, expressed concern about the lack of leadership from the fire chief’s office for the volunteers and points out there are no programs for recruitment, retention and training of volunteers.

“We have no one standing with us, in front of us leading the way nor behind us to have our backs,” the second letter says. “There is no trust, no leadership for us. We need and want answers.”

Reiber and Mike Bock, WVFD president, elaborated on their concerns in telephone interview.

Reiber said there was never a need for a memorandum of understanding until a change in the borough government with new fire administration, including the paid chief about a year and a half ago, and the WVFD has been getting the cold shoulder for the last nine to 10 months.

The perception is that the borough is trying to build a paid fire department and relegating WVFD to a fundraising group, which “doesn’t sit well with the volunteers,” Reiber said.

There’s been talk about an MOU since about summer 2022, Virginia Avenue utilities were discussed early on and there is no written agreement on anything, but the utilities were still shut off, Reiber said.

WVFD paid the $1,200 to have the gas and electric turned back on and is paying utility bills, which come to $5,000 to $6,000 a year.

The volunteers just raised $34,000 to have the rescue engine repaired and “we get slapped in the face for $6,000 … it’s a little hard to take,” Reiber said.

“We are deeply concerned about the attitude … snubbing the volunteers … like they don’t care,” Reiber reiterated.

Initial meetings about the MOU were cordial, but later ones broke down and there were personality issues on both sides, according to Bock, who said he’s not going to point a finger at one or the other. At this point, he doesn’t think fire protection has suffered.

Asked about long-term implications and possible consequences if the divide isn’t bridged, options could include a strike, removal of apparatus, the majority of which is owned by WVFD, or discussions of going independent. There is absolutely no thought of dissolving the WVFD.

“The board of directors has taken a very strong interest and hopes to work out an agreement,” Reiber said, but later added he’s not sure the borough is really interested in an MOU.

Bock emphasized the lack of respect for the volunteers from the borough administration and Reiber added he thinks it is important “the public knows there’s some discontent.”

What’s the Borough of Waynesboro’s stance on talks with volunteer fire department?

Stains, the borough manager, and Devers, the fire chief, jointly replied to email questions concerning the issues raised by WVFD officers.

Asked about what they think is the source of the discontent, they replied, “The fire service and the level of response has changed significantly over the last few decades. Sometimes it is difficult to figure out how to best address changes and challenges that organizations face, but that doesn’t eliminate the need to address those changes.

"We understand that there may be differences of opinion between some long-term volunteers and the Fire Chief, and ultimately, we want to work together to ensure that we can provide effective fire services for the Borough of Waynesboro and surrounding communities.”

They also explained the unwritten arrangement with the WVFD is not unique and “the Borough has found that there are numerous organizations that have relationships with us and documentation for those relationships do not exist. As stewards of public tax dollars, we feel it is necessary to capture an obligation to expend tax dollars in writing, instead of relying on individuals’ recollection of how things have been done in the past.

"Having a written understanding provides certainty to both the volunteers and the taxpayer.”

The utilities at the Virginia Avenue fire station are just a fraction of the borough’s $1,168,551 fire budget, but during the budget process, council decided not to pay for utilities at a building the borough does not own. The WVFD was informed in writing on Dec. 3 the borough would not discontinue paying for utilities on Jan. 1. A Dec. 22 letter extended that to Jan. 31.

The budget covers seven full-time and 10 part-time paid firefighters/EMTs and career staff, augmented by volunteers. According to Stains and Devers, as volunteerism has declined — a trend locally as well as across the nation — the borough has moved to make sure staff is on hand 24/7.

“The long-term plan is to continue the combined model of paid and volunteer firefighting as long as there are active volunteers responding to calls,” according to Stains and Devers. “There is no plan in place for an all-career department, nor does the borough’s current budget accommodate such a structure. The borough does recognize the need to take steps to work towards safe staffing per National Fire Protection Association standards as volunteerism continues to decline.”

The two say the borough has no administrative control over the volunteers and can’t mandate retention or recruitment initiatives, but has provided the WVFD with information on possibilities for both. In addition, volunteers have the same opportunities to attend training as the paid firefighters and have been invited to attend training conducted by career staff.

The borough also pays for fuel, workers compensation, minor repairs and maintenance on apparatus and insurance on apparatus owned by the Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Department, as well as $5,000 annually to assist with volunteers with the purchase of equipment.

Asked about how to bridge the gap and improve the relationship between the borough and WVFD, Stains and Devers wrote, “Relationships work when those in the relationship can be open and honest with each other and commit to working through the challenges that they face. No relationship is without its share of ups and downs. It is what you do in response to those challenges that determines whether the relationship is successful.

"Is volunteerism at historic lows? Yes. Is the Borough facing budgetary challenges? Yes. Are calls for service increasing? Yes. Despite all that do we need to figure out the best way to provide service to the community? Without question.”

Shawn Hardy is a reporter with Gannett's Franklin County newspapers in south-central Pennsylvania — the Echo Pilot in Greencastle, The Record Herald in Waynesboro and the Public Opinion in Chambersburg. She has more than 35 years of journalism experience. Reach her at shardy@gannett.com