The merging of the four Bristol Borough Fire Companies under one umbrella is moving forward at a steady pace as officials prepare for an anticipated official presentation by the newly formed Bristol Borough Fire Association (BBFA)
At this month’s council meeting, Mayor Joseph Saxton provided members and the public with an update on the process, but sources familiar with the work say a press release is currently being devised to announce the creation of the BBFA.
The timing for the press release is unavailable, presently, and most, if not all fire officials among the borough fire companies have declined to speak on the record in the past about any merger plans.
Saxton said at the meeting the fire companies met and adopted by laws for the now established BBFA and elected an executive board from among members of the four fire companies.
Steve Reeves from Bristol Consolidated Fire Company, will serve as BBFA President, Anthony Malave from, Goodwill Hose Company as vice-president, Fran Huffnell from Bristol Fire Company as treasurer and Paul McManamon of American Hose, Hook and Ladder will serve as secretary.
Saxton said he hopes a presentation will be ready to be made to council in April.
Saxton said plans include the association coming before council explaining the work that has been done involving the merger process with a presentation most likely to place at the April council meeting.
It’s a little step in everything, but it’s a big step as everybody here knows how long we’ve been trying to get this accomplished, the mayor said.
Saxton said next big steps include council looking at the ordinance for Chapter 7 for the fire company and figuring out how to fund the merger.
The report calls for a revamping and codifying the Bristol Borough Municipal Code Chapter 7 as a means to determine, with the Fire Companies what the Borough and the citizens need in in the 21st Century in regard to Community Fire Protection and the needs of the fire companies.
I think that’s a two year process Saxton said. Adding he thought the work completed already was going to take a year, and its gotten it done in six months.
Consolidating the fire companies under one umbrella was a recommendation of the 20201 Fire Study.
Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe shared his appreciation for the Saxton’s work and efforts on the what many thought could never happen.
I know your hard work has a lot to do with moving the merger process forward, he said.
