4 Full-Time Firefighters Sought Through Grant In Bensalem

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —With competition running high among municipalities for funding, the township is seeking a grant that would fund four full-time, paid firefighters.

The Bensalem Township Council —following a pitch by Public Safety Director William McVey —approved applying for a 2024 Firefighters SAFER Grant.

McVey, in speaking before the council at its Oct. 24 meeting, said that the township could add four firefighters to its career Bensalem Township Fire Rescue staff with the federal grant picking up the tab for salary and benefits for four years for four full-time paid firefighters.

"The reason there's a priority on this is that a lot of municipalities around us are currently seeking the SAFER grants," McVey said. "We are competing against our neighbors as we are for police officers. I don't want to be stuck behind the eight ball and not be able to get the staff we need."

McVey said that Bensalem —like municipalities throughout Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and the nation —is experiencing a decrease in volunteer firefighters and an increase in fire calls.

"We need more staff to keep our residents safe," McVey said. "This is also coming from volunteer leadership asking for the township to hire more paid firefighters. I thought at first that was odd to hear from volunteer leadership, but they are not getting trucks out during the day as they did in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s."

He said that full-time paid firefighters can get out on the street and that fire suppression would be more efficient and effective in this township.

"That's what the residents deserve. Everyone has seen the fires in the township. If they strike, it's quick and response time is critical. I can't stress this enough, I know there will be questions about the funding in years to come, but I'm confident that through the mayor, his office, and the administration, and with the assistance of the Council, that we'll be able to come up with a viable plan to sustain this."

McVey said the full-time paid staff has struggled with manpower after two firefighters were injured with one falling off a ladder during a call and another in a "horrific accident" where both were out of work and the department was at lower staffing levels for about six months.

"I don't want to get in this position again," McVey said. "This is the right move for the township."

Council President Edward Kisselback asked McVey what would happen if the township didn't get the funding.

McVey replied that he would operate as best as possible.

"We're going to have to expand our hours as well, potentially weekends with career firefighters," he said. "We need a professional and timely response. We owe that to the township."