TodayFire police, officials close to resolution
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Article RatingSouth Middleton and its special fire police force say they are close to a resolution on an ongoing insurance dispute.
A press release issued Thursday by the township says that recent meetings involving both parties have been productive.
“We are vigorously working toward an amicable resolution of any differences that have occurred over the past several months,” the release says.
The crux of the dispute has centered on insurance coverage while special fire police work paid details. In those instances, the township has said that its workers’ compensation insurance can’t cover the special fire police.
Special fire police members are covered by the township while working volunteer assignments, such as directing traffic around emergency scenes.
Lower-cost insurance
Previously the force said that it would be too expensive to obtain its own insurance coverage. A new price quote — significantly lower than the original $8,000 figure — could make it more feasible for the special fire police to obtain added coverage, however.
Supervisor Bryan Gembusia, a member of the personnel and finance committee, says that the new numbers make it easier for the township to assist the force financially.
He attributes earlier back-and-forth sniping that took place in the local media to miscommunication between both parties.
“Those guys are lifesavers,” Gembusia says. “We can’t have them underfunded or out of communication with the township.”
Township manager Barbara Wilson says that she is pleased a resolution is moving along.
“The community interests as well as those of the Special Fire Police members and their families have been the utmost concern throughout this process,” she says.
Special fire police president Jim Hoerner did not return a message this morning seeking comment.
The township told the special fire police in the spring that the force would no longer be covered by the township’s workers’ compensation insurance when working paid details.
It led to the special fire police not working events where it was not covered by township insurance.
The Boiling Springs VFW cancelled its annual Halloween parade in October, saying that it could not afford to cover the special fire police’s insurance costs for the event. The township put on a substitute event on trails South Middleton Park.
Gembusia says that the meetings between the parties, mediated by former Supervisor Duff Manweiler, gave the township and the special fire police a chance to rebuild their relationship.
“There were a lot of miscommunication that had happened,” he says. “We’re building a newer level of trust with them. It was never about trying to stick it to anybody.”
