WARMINSTER TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - E-Library

Community FacilitiesFire Protection ServicesThe Chalfont Fire Company responds to fire calls in the borough and is located at 101 Nonh iMainStreet. The all-volunteer company is aided by other nearby companies on multiple alarm cdls andlikewise assists other companies when necessary. The company’s equipment consists of threepumpers, a ladder truck, tanker truck, and a special service unit. A laddedpumper truck will bepurchased in the near future to replace a pumper. The staff consists of 35 volunteer firefighters, achief, deputy chief, and four assistant chiefs.The fire company’s central location in the borough places it in good stead to meet the Insurance ServiceOffice (ISO) standards for fire protection. This national insurance industry service group recommendsthat suburban areas be within a 2.5-mile radius of a fire station with a first response engine. The entireborough falls within a 2.5-mile radius of the fire station.The borough’s fire protection facilities are adequate; however, two operating issues must be addressedto ensure adequate fire protection: funding and staffing. The company is supported by a 3 mil fire tmfrom Chalfont and New Britain boroughs and New Britain Township, as well as fundraising projects.Funding for equipment comes from an equipment replacement fund that is contributed to each month,as well as loans from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Finances at this point in timeare not problematic. However, for the long term, funding efforts must be increased to keep ahead ofrising costs.The company is staffed completely by volunteers. Staffing shortages are becoming troublesome forvolunteer fire companies. Attrition of existing staff and fewer new volunteers willing to undergoextensive training and assume fundraising responsibilities leave the company with fewer qualifiedpeople. A full-time 24-hour paid staff is difficult to fund. According to Chief William Clements,staffin3 problems are not serious at the present time, but a full time paid staff to supplement thevolunteer staff will be necessary in the future.Emergency Medical ServicesThe Chalfont Fire Company Ambulance Corps provides emergency medical services to residents ofChalfont Borough 24 hours a day. The squad is based at the Fire Company Building at 101 NokhMain Street.The squad is obligated under state law to transport a patient to the nearest hospital, unless a waiver issigned. Trauma cases, however, must be taken to the closest trauma center at Abington Hospital or theLehigh Valley Hospital Center near Allentown. Trauma cases are transported by Medevac helicopter orambulance, whichever is most expeditious.The ambulance corps is equipped to provide Basic and Advanced Life Support. Basic Life Supportinvolves basic first aid and transport. Advanced Life Support services are provided for calls involvingcardiac arrest and trauma. A paramedic, trained and experienced in handling these types of casesresponds to these calls with advanced life support equipment. Adequacy of this service is evaluated byChalfont Borough Comprehensive Plan Update Draft 41