Austin Volunteer Fire Department

2h  ·

Important News Release Regarding Fire/EMS Services for your municipality

The Austin Volunteer Fire Company Inc. is a 100% Volunteer Fire, Rescue and EMS company located in Austin, Pennsylvania. We currently serve the Borough of Austin, and Townships of Portage, Summit, Wharton, Sylvania & Keating located within Potter County.

January 1, 2023 brings the start of new 3 year contracts between the Austin Volunteer Fire Company Inc. and each municipality for our services (fire and ems). Each municipality IS REQUIRED by law to provide these emergency services to their municipality. AT THIS TIME all municipalities with the EXCEPTION of Keating Township have signed this contract.

The funds received from the executed contracts with each municipality account for approximately 30% of our annual budget. These funds are used toward life-saving equipment and operations. The remainder of funds arrive from fundraisers, donations and grants.

In March 2022, the Austin Volunteer Fire Company Inc. notified each municipality of a special municipal meeting scheduled to review upcoming contracts and AVFD accomplishments and future goals.

In June 2022, the Austin Volunteer Fire Company Inc. hosted a municipal meeting for all townships and the borough explaining contracts and answering any questions municipal officials may have had. Keating Township Officials did not attend this meeting.

In September 2022, the Austin Volunteer Fire Company Inc. officials attended a special meeting with Keating Township, at their request, to answer questions. AVFD Fire Chief and Board Chairman also attended Keating Township’s regular meetings in September and November to answer any additional questions.

Executed contracts were DUE to be signed and returned to AVFD by October 15, 2022.

As of December 19, 2022, Keating Township has NOT signed and returned the contracts.

If these contracts are not executed by December 31, 2022, the Austin Volunteer Fire Company Inc is NO LONGER required to provide fire and ems services to Keating Township. If contracts are not executed by your municipality, your insurance rates WILL INCREASE.

PROPERTY OWNERS/RESIDENTS OF KEATING TOWNSHIP—— this DIRECTLY affects YOU!! You are encouraged to contact your local municipal representatives to voice your concerns or attend their next municipal meeting on Monday, January 2, 2023 at 6:00 pm at the Municipal Building located at 2964 State Route 607, Austin, PA. Keating Township Municipal Officials are as follows: Chairperson Andrea Youngfleish 814-335-5902, Supervisor Sherry Clark 814-203-6410, Laura McLeod 814-203-2756

If you would like to speak with a representative of the Austin Volunteer Fire Company, please contact Board Chairman/Fire Chief Jamie Rooney at 814-203-3758 or Board Vice Chairperson/Ambulance Chief Tracy Orlowski at 814-203-9851