Supervisors in southern Butler County plan to close down the 30-year-old Winfield Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Winfield Township Secretary Adam Hartwig says the fire department has not been meeting the expectations of the township supervisors.
“We’re responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Winfield Township,” Hartwig said. “In order to properly do that, we feel there are minimal levels of qualifications and practices that any sustaining organization should meet. We strongly encouraged the fire department to meet these minimum expectations.”
Hartwig said the fire department’s board of directors has resisted township recommendations including increasing training and creating standard operation procedures. A letter detailing concerns was first sent to the department last July but Hartwig says no real improvements have been made.
The Winfield Township Supervisors will take a vote on the matter in August. If the department is shut down, the township will enter into an agreement with the three neighboring fire departments– Herman, Saxonburg and Buffalo Township– to provide fire protection services.
Butler Radio reached out to the Winfield Fire Department for comment but did not immediately hear back.