Fire Department

Photo provided courtesy of EriePics by Micheal Nesgoda.

The Borough has been served by the fully volunteer fire department for over 100 years.

If you want to help the department:

· Reach out to the Fire Dept. and Borough to express your support and speak at their public meetings.

· Join the Department – 100 years of Fire service would not have been possible without the help in sacrifice of an army of honorable volunteers.

If you feel a calling to join the fire Department, the community would greatly appreciate your contribution and you would be welcomed with open arms.

Statement to the Public About Ambulance Service

Please be advised: the following statement is very important and directly impacts our community. We encourage all residents to read it in full. It has been carefully written to answer common questions and to clearly explain how and why this decision was made — and what comes next.

The Wesleyville Hose Company, our volunteer fire and EMS department, voted at its September monthly meeting to discontinue Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance service operations and transition to a Quick Response Service (QRS) model for EMS calls.

Currently, the department is licensed through the end of this year to operate a BLS ambulance — a service that provides both medical treatment and patient transport. Beginning in the new year, the department will not renew that license and will instead operate as a QRS unit.

This decision was not made lightly. Maintaining an ambulance requires insurance, inspections, supplies, and most importantly, two trained and licensed personnel (An EMT and a second EMT or an EMR) available to respond to every call. The reality is that the department has struggled for years to find enough volunteers to safely and reliably meet these staffing requirements.

It is difficult enough to have one qualified volunteer available — expecting two at any given time has become impossible. Despite these challenges, the department has done everything it could to keep the ambulance in operation, but the ongoing costs have continued to drain its limited resources.

Why Move to Quick Response Service (QRS)?

The goal of this transition is to ensure that trained help still arrives as quickly as possible when someone in Wesleyville needs medical attention.

Under the QRS model, one qualified volunteer can respond immediately — either in a department vehicle or their own, equipped with medical supplies. That volunteer can provide lifesaving care on scene while waiting for an ambulance from East County EMS or another nearby provider.

This change allows for faster response times, less burnout among volunteers, and a more sustainable model for the department. It keeps help close to home without demanding more than our small volunteer base can provide.

Becoming a Volunteer

To serve as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) requires several hundred hours of in-person training and a certification exam. The total cost, approximately $1,200, is typically covered by the department.

If you’ve ever considered serving your community, now is the time. Whether as a firefighter, medical responder, or by helping with fundraising, maintenance, or community events — your involvement matters.

Public Town Hall

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 19th at 7:00 p.m. at Wesleyville Borough Hall.

Representatives from the Borough and the Fire Department will present the challenges being faced and hear feedback, ideas, and concerns from residents.

This is your opportunity to be part of the conversation — and part of the solution.

What Happens to Ambulance Coverage?

Wesleyville is currently a partner in the East County EMS system, contributing $42,000 annually to this regional agency. East County EMS remains the Borough’s designated ambulance provider and has recently received funding to outfit an additional ambulance.

If East County EMS is unavailable, the next closest ambulance will be dispatched automatically.

The Hose Company’s shift to QRS ensures that a trained responder can still arrive quickly to begin care until transport arrives — keeping critical minutes from being lost.

Looking Ahead

The department will continue working to recruit, train, and retain volunteers, while organizing fundraisers and outreach events to strengthen local support.

At the same time, the Borough is exploring additional measures — including a volunteer tax rebate and possibly a dedicated Fire Tax — to help fund the department’s fire and EMS operations. These efforts could provide for incentive programs, expanded training, and even paid staffing if necessary.

However, the future of local emergency services ultimately depends on you — the community.

If we do not receive enough support, the department cannot sustain its operations indefinitely. Should the Hose Company ever be forced to shut down, our community would face a harsh choice: either go without local emergency service, or pay dramatically higher costs for outside coverage that cannot match the reliability or dedication of our own volunteers.

A Call to Action

This is a pivotal moment for Wesleyville. With your involvement, support, and commitment, we can build a strong, sustainable emergency response system that continues to serve our residents for years to come.

Together, we can keep help close to home — but only if we work together to make it happen.

10/24/25 – Chief Wiercinski

Schedule:

Drill is held every week on Saturday from 2-6 PM, with a reoccurring monthly meeting every 3rd Sunday of the month at 2 o’clock.

Contact:

• (814) 899-6704
• Fire@wesleyville.gov
• Firechief@wesleyville.gov