Former Mayor Joseph Saxon before he passed, worked on one issue that he thought would be necessary for the survival of the four remaining fire companies; to consolidate and find a new home for all four.
That probability seems clearer now with officials from the Bristol Borough Fire Association meeting with Borough officials sometime this month to discuss a one centralized fire house location.
“We just plan on meeting with Borough officials to move the centralized firehouse project forward. Over the past several months, all company representatives met to develop a need assessment and to identify different locations,” said BBFA President Steve Reeves.
Lower Bucks Source has been checking in with Reeves on a regular basis for updates on BBFA activities and progress. Reeves would not reveal specifics or locations being discussed, holding that information close to the vest.
It was just under a year ago America Hose, Hook and Ladder #2 (Station 25) and Bristol Consolidated Volunteer Fire Company (Station 50) announced through the recently formed Bristol Borough Fire Association they will “co-house” operations.
That announced move, was “not a merger” but “a temporary solution to improve manning and response times as we evaluate fire protection services” BFFA officials said. However consolidating the services of the borough’s four fire companies is a long term goal of the BFFA and is a project initially spearheaded by former Mayor Joseph Saxton, who passed away in July of 2022.
A 2021 fire study made strategic suggestions to the borough namely a restructuring of fire services, such as “restructure the fire chiefs reporting responsibilities to the borough manager, changes to the fire ordinance be made “to determine the needs of borough and community the fire companies serve” and the forming of an association which oversees and manages operational issues of the four fire companies.
“This is a move to unite fire company resources and to better serve the residents of Bristol,” Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe said at the time of the announced co-housing last year.
The work and progress based upon the reports suggestions and recommendations has been steady officials at a recent public meeting said even with reported better relations with fire companies outside of the borough, many say. Although officials from the two Fire companies 51 and 53 haven’t said much publicly.
Submitted:
Perhaps a small hiccup was overcome recently in terms of relationships between the BFFA and Bristol Borough Fire Chief Herb Slack with regards to Bristol Consolidated Fire Company station 50 releasing information about a hazardous materials spill on August 29th.
The original post was pulled down/deleted following media inquiries about the spill and containment operations. Reeves, also the Fire Chief for station 50 said he could not comment on why the post was pulled down.
Slack later that day provided the “tick-tock” on the cleanup and its operations. He also declined to comment on the post being pulled down.
Suffice to say, future plans are moving forward rather nicely both men agree
“As of now, things look pretty promising” Reeve said
“Chief Reeves has done an outstanding job in keeping this important initiative moving forward. He has my full support, Slack said Sunday night.
Maybe Saxton’s dream is closer than ever before. And that’s a good thing for all of Bristol, officials have said.
Recent Comments