East Lansdowne Fire Company Closes After 114 Years: A Symptom of a National Crisis
After 114 years of dedicated service, the East lansdowne Fire Company in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, will cease operations on December 31, 2025. The borough council’s recent vote to dissolve the volunteer fire company highlights a growing crisis facing small-town fire departments nationwide: dwindling volunteer numbers and insufficient funding. This decision impacts the 2,700 residents of East Lansdowne and raises critical questions about the future of emergency services in similar communities.
A history Lost
The closure is deeply felt by those connected to the fire company. Deputy Chief Steve Castellano, a 21-year veteran who joined as a 14-year-old cadet, expressed the emotional weight of the decision.”It’s not really about me, but the history of the organization,” he said. “The number of people we’ve had over the years of 114 years of service.”
The company’s history includes responding to meaningful events, such as a house fire in February 2024 that occurred after a tragic domestic shooting that left five family members dead. Despite this recent activity, the department’s ability to consistently respond effectively had deteriorated.
The Root Causes: Funding and Volunteers
Two primary factors led to this difficult decision: a severe lack of funding and a dramatic decline in volunteer participation. Currently,the East Lansdowne Fire Company operates with only five active members. This is a stark contrast to the 30-35 members the company boasted in 2004, according to Castellano.
The financial strain is significant. The fire company requested $120,000 annually to remain operational, but Mayor Majovie Bland stated that covering this cost would necessitate a 60% tax increase for residents. “Make no mistake, we did the financial analysis,” Bland explained.”We would have to raise taxes to our residents 60% to cover parttime.”
Response Time Concerns
Beyond staffing and finances, concerns about response times played a role in the borough’s decision. Mayor Bland noted that the fire company hadn’t been frist on the scene to any East Lansdowne emergencies for months. This raised questions about the department’s ability to provide timely and effective emergency response.
What’s Next for East Lansdowne?
The borough plans to utilize existing fire tax revenue to contract with neighboring fire departments – Lansdowne, Yeadon, and Cardington Stonehurst – all located within a mile of the East Lansdowne firehouse. However, these arrangements are still under negotiation.
Residents are understandably concerned about the transition.Will Stanton,a local resident,voiced his worries at Monday’s borough meeting.”My concern about this letter that I got on Friday was there nothing in there about financial information,” Stanton said. “Nothing about what we’ve been paying and there’s nothing about what we will be paying.”
A National Trend
Castellano emphasizes that East lansdowne’s situation isn’t unique. “It’s 10 years of requesting for funding falling on deaf ears and not receiving that funding,” he said. “This is not an issue just here in East Lansdowne, it’s a nationwide issue, especially with these smaller town fire departments.”
Volunteer fire departments across the country are grappling with similar challenges. Factors contributing to the decline include:
* Increased demands on volunteers’ time: Families are busier, and individuals have more commitments.
* rising training requirements: Modern firefighting demands extensive and ongoing training.
* Financial burdens: Volunteers often bear the cost of training and equipment.
* Decreasing community engagement: A decline in civic participation impacts volunteer recruitment.
The Future of the Fire Station and Equipment
The fate of the East Lansdowne fire station and its equipment remains uncertain. borough officials are currently evaluating options.
The closure of the East Lansdowne Fire Company serves as a stark warning. It underscores the critical need for communities to proactively address the challenges facing volunteer fire departments and ensure the continued provision of essential emergency services. Without enduring funding models and renewed community support, more departments may face a similar fate, leaving residents vulnerable and jeopardizing public safety.
Resources:
*
