Two local fire companies are combining forces to bring down administrative overhead, with no reduction in service expected.
Union Hose Chief Philip Snavely announced the combination in a press release Wednesday, March 30, following formal approval by Lebanon County Judge Samuel A. Kline for the Cleona Fire Company and Union Hose Company of Annville to merge.
Union Hose Company will next apply to the state for a “doing business as” registration to continue operating its Cleona services as Cleona Fire Company.
Combined, the fire companies have approximately 50 members with an annual call volume of about 400 responses.
Working together is not new for the departments, which had previously partnered through the cooperative Annville-Cleona Fire District. The press releases notes that the two departments have functioned as one at emergency scenes for nearly a decade, and that fire stations in Annville and Cleona will remain open.
“I want to assure our community that fire and rescue services will not be negatively impacted or reduced by the merger of these two great fire departments,” said Chief Snavely in the release. “The people, the fire trucks and the fire stations are the same today as they were yesterday. The merger will eliminate the duplication of administrative functions and allows us to better prepare for the future.”
“The Union Hose Company of Annville and the Cleona Fire Company No. 1 both have long and proud histories of serving their respective communities,” said Union Hose President Andrew Raudensky in the release. “We are excited to carry on this legacy as the Annville Cleona Fire Department, as we write the next chapter of providing volunteer emergency services to the citizens of Annville Township and Cleona Borough.”
The company is actively recruiting new members to help in all facets of operating a volunteer fire department. Of course, they’re looking for firefighters, but also volunteers to assist with EMS, administrative tasks, fundraising, cleaning and maintaining the fire trucks, and financial management.
For more information on volunteering with Union Hose Company of Annville, message them on Facebook, or call (717) 867-4971.
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