31 fire incidents in Brentwood and Whitehall VFD was designated as the first responder? What is up with Brentwood Council either not being informed of this or ignoring it? Maybe Brentwood VFD should merge with Whitehall VFD.

bd : As a taxpayer of Whitehall I would object to such a merger.
Good for the Whitehall Council to make Brentwood accoutable for their usage of our firefighters. This is the inovative ways to save money and also use our resources wisely.

Every company in the South Hills utilizes Mutual Aid agreements (including paid departments). Brentwood's agreement is set-up that Whitehall responds WITH Brentwood during daylight hours to respond to one HALF of the borough. Many companies also respond to Whitehall under their own agreements. During the day, manpower for fire companies is sparse, therefore to protect the public, these mutual aid agreement are in place to increase the manpower that responds. With Whitehall's Chief working for the public works, his response time is quicker since he may already be on the road. It is Whitehall's choice to send a paid employee on calls. The agreement states that the Whitehall fire company will respond, not the Whitehall Public Works Dept. The issue was never brought to Brentwood's attention, therefore, Brentwood did not know there was a problem. Had they known, I'm sure they would have made other arrangements. Every fire company in the area has an issue with low manpower during the day. This is not breaking news. To bash another fire company in the newspaper over an issue that they did not know existed seems to be the issue. Also claiming to be the sole responder to a borough that you only cover a half mile of as mutual aid is a very blazen and bold outright lie. I wouldn't be disappointed to never see a white fire truck in our borough again.

I did not name an organization who made the claim. I assumed it was known by the reader. The only thing this action has done is led the people of Whitehall to believe they are paying for fire service in Brentwood and that Brentwood is incapable of providing such service. Shame on Whitehall Council. Especially the member of Council/Whitehall Fire who fed and backed this article/action.

Michael - Why doesn't Brentwood have enough firemen during the day to respond to fires? Maybe Brentwood needs to have a paid fire staff during the weekday hours? You might not want to see our White Firetrucks in your Borough, but i'm sure the ones that have them at their property for an emergency are happy that Whitehall and their men responded as Brentwood doesn't have the man power during working hours.

You do know that Brentwood offers the same mutual aid services on daylight as Whitehall does? Brentwood runs over 300 calls a year. This ruling came over 19 calls!!!!!!! Manpower is not just a Brentwood issue. Every fire company is experiencing low man power due to volunteers working during the day. The amount of people responding fluctuates daily. I'm not currently a firefighter and have never belonged to Brentwood but I do know that Baldwin runs with them as well and they provide mutual aid to each other's companies. The only thing this council did was ruin a fire company's reputation without merit and possibly severed ties with Whitehall's mutual aid companies. I'm hoping the Brotherhood of the Fire Service remains amonst them.

Whitehall Council is totally out of line with this. Now all of a sudden they are worried about money. Well Mr cost conscious Whitehall council people Why do the citizens have to pay for their own dispatchers who have the calls sent to them from Allegheny County 911 which Whitehall residents are already paying taxes into and every other community in the county except USC has already gotten out of the dispatch business. Why is that Whitehall Council?? How much does this cost the citizens every year? Oh is it because you would lose your Fifedom like Mike said above? Maybe some council people would not be able to use their own radios to request police assistance when they start trouble with people and then cant back up their actions! I hope all of the bordering communities charge Whitehall when their trucks come into Whitehall too! Wake up Whitehall. Youre arrogant politicians need to go!

Fed Up and Whitehall Resident- Do you know that Whitehall's dispatchers do the paperwork its police officers so they can stay out on patrol? If you are worried about cost savings, then let the police officers do their paperwork at a higher rate of pay while removing them from their patrols to do so. Do you also know that the Whitehall dispatchers may better knowledge of the borough than someone sitting at a computer console? Case in point, EMS, police and fire were dispatched for a reported car into a utility pole on Propect Road. If you live in the area, you would assume that it would be somewhere on Prospect Road in Whitehall or possibly Baldwin. The actual accident was found to be on Prospect Road in Castle Shannon after about 15 minutes were wasted by Whitehall and Baldwin searching for the accident. The call was dispatched by Allegheny County 911. There are also Prospect Roads in Oakdale, Turtle Creek, Ben Avon, Ross, Coraopolis, East Pittsburgh, The City of Pittsburgh, Etna, Forward, Avalon and Swissvale that 911 has to consider when dispathing public safety services. Do you want to take that chance to save money by eliminating "the 1980's displatch center" and increasing risk of delayed responses?

Wow - the comments went on so many tangents from the orginal article. To address to the original article... as a taxpayer in Whitehall it seems petty. Of those 19 calls, how long was the chief actually out of the Borough? Were they actual fires or more BS calls? I have lived in Whitehall (in PA for that matter) for 10 years and the South Hills does not seem to be burning down! Also what does the Public works dept do in the summer since contractors cut the grass and repave the roads?

As for the disptach center in Whitehall.. one or two disptachers are very good, one talks too much but is good and the others average at best. I used to be a city of Columbus FF so I still listen to the scanner every once in a while. Also regarding the dispatchers, one day I went up the the police dept to pay my fine for parking on the street after 2am (stupid law in the summer time) and the dispatcher who took my money was cutting coupons rather than "paperwork" or paying attention to the radio!

Don't know much about Whitehall EMS since it was gone before I moved here.

Finally, in regards to the police and their paperwork. It is the 21st century, all patrol cars should have computers and be MDTs! Why can't they do their paperwork in the car. Seems to me that they have plenty of time on their hands to sit in their car in Caste parking lot, talk to the Brentwood officers for an hour at Get-go or hang out at one of the two fire stations! They can do their paperwork then!

Rigatoni- I have lived in Whitehall since May 1962, over fifty years, five times as long as you. I have also worked for the boro and know more about it than you do. I don't even know where to begin. First, why don't you ride with the road crew a day and let them sit in the truck while you do what they normally do. Also, get up at 3 am and also leave your family on holidays to go plow and salt roads. We have the roads taken care of so fast and well done regarding snow. We have an excellent road crew.

As far as the police, they do have computers in their cars. They sit at Caste for a reason, besides, how do you know they aren't doing paper work in there? Did you go peek in the window and see? Maybe they are doing paperwork at the firehall. We don't have a high crime rate here so there are quiet times. If they want to go get coffee and a donut maybe they need the sugar and caffeine to stay awake at night to keep the boro safe while you sleep. They deserve it. We have an excellent police dept.

We have an excellent fire dept. also, covering Brentwood calls at their own expense when Brentwood doesn't even show up. It is about time they get some type of reimbursement.

Are you sure you are not a Brentwood councilman?

Ok enough of bashing Brentwood and it's fire dept. (1) More often than not Whitehall's chief get's on the scene of a Brentwood call. he will disregard his trucks as they are not needed. (2) If it is a call out of Whitehall why do men leave their duties with the road dept. (3) Margaret French I think everybody that knows anything about Whitehall will agree. They have excellent Police, Road crews and Fire dept. I have been a member of the Brentwood Fire Dept. for 32 years. If Whitehall council wants to start charging for their services thats fine. For instance 105,107, 199, 119 and many others, Will be willing to help Brentwood and any other Fire dept at a moments notice and not even think of sending a bill for services. It is sad that it has come down to the almighty buck, when it comes to helping a neighboring Fire Dept.

Frenchie- Did I hit a nerve? Can you not take constructive criticism of your beloved Borough and its employees? Especially from an outsider that has seen it done a completely different way? I have met several of PW, police and firemen. They are all good people and take pride in their jobs. I am just questioning the effiency of their jobs not the workers themselves. FF19 stated that the dispatchers do the policemen's paperwork so they can be out on patrol.... you state the police are doing the paperwork in Caste's parking lot and the firehalls. Which is it? Why do we need dispatchers when the county provides that service for us!

No doubt the PW does a great job in the winter but what do they do in the summer? What keeps 8 guys plus summer help busy 40 hrs a week? I believe there are only 6 parks in the borough.

As for the fire dept. the article never stated they would get any money from the billing. The borough was going to benefit from the billing. From what I understand those guys get nothing but a t-shirt. They don't even get compensated for the fuel they use in their personal vehicles. Those guys (and girls if there are any) should be commended for their service to the borough, it's residents and the neighboring communities. I did that job for a living and got injured in the process.... I would not do it for free!

Margaret, This was a somewhat intelligent conversation until you became involved. Once again, Whitehall is responding as a team with Brentwood not as their primary service. Phil Lar made ridiculous accusations. Your council started a s#@t storm and the residents of many boroughs may suffer because people like you who work in one aspect of emergency services and believe that qualifies you to speak for all entities of emergency services. Volunteer firefighters don't get paid. If the alarm goes off and you're sick, in the shower, bathroom, in line at the store etc you don't have to respond. We're not sitting in recliners at a base waiting for a call. We're living our lives until the call comes in. We can't count on having a full crew every time the alarm goes off. That is why we set up mutual aid agreements. How dare you claim Brentwood is out partying and too busy to respond to their own calls. You were paid to sit on your ass until you were needed. Why don't you educate yourself on the fire service before you speak. Also the only member from public works who is permitted to respond is the Chief so Im sure your borough will survive.

Jerome and Rigatoni- This will all be worked out. The bottom line Whitehall Council may have struck a nerve by passing the resolution. However, this was based on some fact that they know their public works employee leaves his job with their permission to answer fire calls in Whitehall, Brentwood and other neighboring communities. Whitehall Council is being reasonable as they are funding his salary, at Whitehall taxpayer expense, and want accountability for his time no matter how little it may seem.

For 65+ years Whitehall Council has recognized the importance of supporting their volunteer firefighters and other communities should take note of the partnership and model themselves after it. I know that Whitehall Council will have no objection of their employee leaving during working hours to help Brentwood Fire Company or any other Fire Dept when lives are in danger. What they don't want their employee doing is wasting their time responding to calls like minor vehicle accidents and smoldering trash cans.

Mutual aid works best by having the cooperation between Fire Departments who work together well and who are backed with the full support of their municipalities. Whitehall Council's overall intent is to look after their taxpayer's interest and encouraging Brentwood to support their firefighters to address resource issues. If Brentwood or any other Fire Dept calls Whitehall Fire Company for help, they will come and not be billed for it by the Fire Company.

They are asking for $40 for anyone responding now not just employees. According to county they've been dropped from Brentwood's response so it's now a non-issue for Whitehall.

To clarify what most folks are already seeing, the $40 fee only applies for firefighters who are also Whitehall Borough employees. That's what I was told at Wednesday's council meeting.

Whitehall, the south hill, the county and the state should get with the times. A metro area the size of Pittsburgh should not have volunteers responding from all over the place. Look at the local area... (Whitehall, Brentwood, Castle Shannon, Baldwin, Pleasant Hills) they have 5 ladder trucks between them. In a area that 1 would be in most county run departments, 8 rescue trucks.. The city of Pittsburgh runs 2! 8 chiefs vehicles. There is a huge waste of money that would make up a paid department. But everybody is afraid to give up there slice of the pie. Put together fire and EMS throughout the county and pay the department and yu would raise the quality of service for each resident. This would cost $.25 of the $1.00.

Equipment is expensive but manpower cost more over time.Trucks last 15/20 years or more. Expenses for manpower over the same period of time would not be .25 of the $1.00. Right now the manpower is free. All volunteer fireman/medics should be thanked for that. Could some combine and save more, sure.
Dispatch- much better service having your own then someone from the county. Ask any public service employee who lost thier dispatchers to 911. Or just lost thier own channel and have to listen to the other 27 departments on the shared channel now. A while ago a man who never worked with Whitehall dispatch talked about how it wasnt needed. I think he had a background as a medic. Ran for office, council I believe. Didnt make it. Might be on school board now. Maybe bashing in here?
Mrs French- you made good points. Dont get upset with those who dont know any better and disagree. 5 kids?
Spagetti- how much of your paid time with the fire dept was work? think maybe if some citizen saw you "working" at the station they would think you were doing something important? or would they think "why is he just sitting there?"
Point is we don't know.
Think all the local departments sit somewhere. Paid firemen just have a building to hide in. Volunteers dont need to hide as they have a life to live between calls.

I bet if you add what all +200 departments in the county pay each year you would pay less for a paid higher trained department. And doesn't the cost of a lawsuit due to a death because of lack of man power cost more than staffing. The volunteer service has gotten lucky to this point. Pennslyviana Fire... 200 years of tradition unimpeded by progress. I b

Here is a idea, there are some Volunteer dept's that offer dormitory style living, to college students in exchange for responding fo fire calls. Also some Volunteer dept's require their members to staff the station at all times. These are both good ideas to explore.

BHS grad-thanks. Yep, 5 kids.

As a member of Whitehall Fire Co. for 35+ years the politicians have gone to far with this idea. I have a couple of questiosn for the politicians (1) how can you put a cost factor on PUBLIC safety (2) who pays for all the other volunteers who respond to calls who own their own business or takes time from their paid jobs to answer alarms... the answer to no.2 is NO-ONE ..that doesn't seem to bother anyone ! For years the local Fire Companies have responded to help each other when and where needed without any charge involved or any politician getting involved and that's the way it should remain.

If every resident in the county paid there $75 a year that the departments ask for, plus the state instance money, and money given by the Boros now it could be done. It would also reduce home owners instance by improving ISO ratings. If swissvale, McKeesport, and uniontown can have paid departments, Whitehall residence should not have to worry if the road crew is busy.

it's a long tome comming. Brentwood needs to get off theis a----and get back to their big three statis. at one time ,if you wanted fires put out you call brentwood whitehall or pleasant hills. brentwood can't handle any type of fire on their own .bring back loffel,,crammer ;;wienghhimmer.Past chiefs

FF88 and Jon Wain I agree with both of you...JW I haven't heard that expression for a long time but you are 100% correct..." The Big Three " could not be beat...and with a little help from each other still and will not be beat !

FF88- To my knowledge, Whitehall has never failed to man a truck for a call unless there were arrangments made when they used to have an offsite annual picnic 30+ years ago. I agree with FF16 "the big three" were a force to be reckoned with and can be again with a little help.

All and all, this should have been handled differently by Council consulting with the membership of WFC first to make us aware of their concerns and actions as it has a direct impact on WFC's relations with BVFC . I can also see Counnci'ls point too as their counterparts in Brenttwood do not want to make an effort to help their Fire Company as much they help theirs. Brentwood Council should not totally rely on WFC to provide fire protection without making an attempt to help their own Fire Company first. That is not fair to WFC or the taxpayers of Whitehall Borough.

FF 16,19,&88....I can't agree with you guys more....and as a band of brothers out of the same station we stick together ....just as we would stick together for any of our fellow brothers regardless of the house they are out of, as volunteers! Counsil did what they thought was acceptable, but as ff19 said, they sould have atleast had the curtisy to talk to the members first...as volunteer companies we are all subject to the same daylight manpower problems....bottom line is we are all brothers and need to stick together

I can definately remember the days when there was nothing that the big three stations 116, 301 and 232 could not handle. They definately a fire fighting group to be reckoned with. It would be great to see those days return.

The term "many" to describe the amount of firefighters who are also Whitehall Borough Public Works employees has been changed to "multiple."

Robert, the correct answer of actual firefighters working public works is 2. The chief and the assistant chief of the fire company. Four others were former members of the company however are either no longer members or don't fight fire anymore.

Once again I am tired of the bashing of Brentwood Fire Dept. All dept's have the same expenses incurred with running a fire dept. There was a time when fire depts helped each other willingly, I guess those time have changed with one fire dept. The only person talking like a FOOL is you. If you are going to call people FOOLS and bad mouth people, why not have the GUTS to identify yourself. And as for Brentwood and their station, they not Brentwood Boro are paying a mo making themonthly mortgage payment. And as for a new Pumper, it replaces one that is 31 years old. As I have said there are many fire depts, that are willing to come and help Brentwood and not even give a thought to asking for payment. Also one thing that I can't understand is how is a fire station only used half of the year. You are the one talking like a FOOL. I have a suggestion PUT YOUR BRAIN IN GEAR BEFORE RUNNING YOUR BIG MOUTH. YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY

You know what if this is how chicken s--t the money hungry Whitehall council want's to be then so be it. Maybe Whitehall boro has gotten to big for it's own good.

Wow , you people really went off track, I see it as jealousy. Whitehall Boro has A system that guarantees coverage. Brentwood DOES NOT! So, how could you expect to use Whitehalls personnell without having to reimburse them? Brentwood boro gives the fire company tens of thousands of dollars but does not ask for A guarentee of service. If someones house on Brownsville road catch fire at say, 11 in the morning, God forbid somebody trapped, Brentwood just hopes someone else will come because they dont want to pay A few bucks for guarenteed fire response? So what do you tell the family about there losing there house or possibly A loved one Brentwood firefighters? Well?