By PATRICK BUCHNOWSKI
CAIRNBROOK — Shade Township residents again will have fire protection – but it won’t be from the Central City Fire Department.
Shade supervisors are expected to announce a deal for fire protection Thursday.
Shade officials had been negotiating with other departments since Central City firefighters quit responding to fire calls last month in a dispute over money.
Supervisors have not said which fire department will replace Central City.
“I can tell you it’s not with Hooversville,” said Rick Lohr, president of the Hooversville Volunteer Fire Department.
Richland Township Fire Department also has been mentioned in negotiations. Jason Ober, business manager for the department, was reticent when interviewed Monday.
“I’ve spoken to individuals,” he said. “At this point in time, I have no comment. But in my opinion, Shade Township supervisors are being fiscally responsible to their community.”
Stoystown firefighters – who received a $1,500 donation this year from Shade – said they will not be the primary responder but will continue handling fire calls.
“We have a portion of Shade that’s always been in our fire district,” fire Chief David Johnson said.
The dispute between Shade and Central City has been contentious.
Each has accused the other of breaking an agreement hatched in January. Shade supervisors said just weeks ago they were prepared to start their own (satellite) fire department if necessary.
“We’re going to have fire protection in Shade Township and the residents are going to be safe,” Supervisor Chairman John Topka said at the last monthly meeting.
He did not respond to telephone calls Monday.
Shade had offered a deal of $17,100. Central City firefighters had sought a deal worth $26,840 this year, citing rising costs of equipment and training.
Central City firefighters say they cover 90 percent of the township which, according to the most recent census data, has 2,680 residents.
Fire Chief Dale Russian said the department also will stop providing medical service to Shade.
The Quick Response Service will end Jan. 15.
“This decision was made based on our failed contract negotiation and the stoppage of the prorated share of workers’ compensation payments to Central City Borough,” the fire department board of directors said in a letter to the township.
Northern EMS in Windber and Somerset Area Ambulance, which has a substation in Stoystown, will continue responding to emergencies, Russian said.
Medical and fire service in Central City Borough will not be affected, he said.
