A reminder that your comments cannot contain accusations without proof.

But in all honesty that department should have closed years ago, The department at Baldwin number 1 could handle their calls, and the money could be saved and used for something else. The department at Becks run has low membership and probably the least amount of coverage in the Boro. This mis management should be investigated, and someone in management needs to be held accountable

To educate the readers.... Volunteer fire companies receive funding allocations from the State of Pennsylvania through the Foreign Fire Insurance Act. The funding allocation is based upon the population the volunteer fire department serves. The funding, and rightfully so, is subject to periodic auditing by the PA State Auditor General's office. The audits will normally take place within each two to three year period. When a fire company is audited they must provide a proper justification (i.e. paper trail) on how the funding was spent since the last audit. There are specific rules and regulations that govern how the funds can be used. For example you can use the funds to purchase life insurance policies for the fire department membership to protect the memebrships' families. However, if a member were to die in the line of duty the funds would not be allowed to go directly to impacted member's family. Mostly these funds go toward the purchase of fire equipment and gear. The audits go as far as taking a physical inventory to verify assets purchased (i.e. firefighting gear and equipment). If necessary, after an audit is complete, the fire company is mandated to take corrective action. If the fire company does not take corrective, they risk losing future funding from the State.

Please correct my grammar and spelling :(

These are the fine firemen that want business to put KNOCK BOXES on places of business. How many business would of been robbed because these fine fire people embezzled money.

Baldwin's Fire Dept are all tied together in one way or another and all of the Fire Depts in Baldwin Borough wanted Knock Boxes.

Heard that the Baldwin PD has padlocked the station, and that the borough has ordered Becks Run not be dispatched to any calls. Sounds like the end of the line. Also, they're called KNOX BOXES, after the company that manufactures them.

CC- We receive about $60,000- $70,000 a year from the State. We use this money to pay for life insurance policies for our members ($42,000 annual cost) as well as the purchase of SCBA, gear and other firefighting equipment. To gear up one firefighter costs us about $7,000 with gear and SCBA ($3,000 and $4,000). We have 40 active members. If you do the math, $60,000 will not cover it. To offset the balance we have our annual fund in which we request a $50 a year annual donation. Currenty we receive donations from about 1/3 of our residents (there are 6,500 households in Whitehall) and I want to thank you cc for being a part of this generous third. Most of the other 2/3's, until something happens, do not realize we are 100% volunteer and that we receive no compensation for the hours dedicated to protect lives and property.

BD- not every VFD is subsidized through the borough. By law, the borough has to cover a VFD with workman's comp insurance which is covered by the taxpayers. That is the ONLY thing the borough has to provide/subsidized. As a provider for my family like many of our member's are, would you be willing to provide our services without the backing of workman's comp? If you feel you are contributing to us through your taxes is enough support for us in your mind, that is your opinion. We never force anyone to contribute.

Thanks CC. For my work, I have to travel down to the DC area (Frederick, Loudon and Fairfax Counties in VA). I have found out that they do things much differently than we do as you have learned from your oldest son. We are grateful for the support we get from our residents.

Mr. Brown, I respectfully disagree. The VFDs in Baldwin receive $160,000 per year in taxpayer subsidies. I agree with you that the borough taxpayers' also pay for your workman's comp insurance in addition to the $160,000. Currently, the $160,000 is distributed equally among 4 VFDs similar to the way you divvy up the firemens' relief fund. While I agree with you that people should voluntarily contribute, you are receiving a subsidy from the Borough. There is also a state law and a local ordinance which allows you to bill the insurance companies for your costs in responding to emergencies but I understand that there are complications with the collections and many VFDs no longer even try to bill. I think that should be looked at again by the VFDs.

knox boxes are a Baldwin ordinance that's been in place for several years just never enforced

Michael, ty for the information. i was misinformed and retract my last statement. My apologies .

Thank you as always to Mr. Stelmasczyk, borough councilman, for sharing and participating in our conversations.