Fire Service Expansion Proposal – 2026 Budget Consideration
Montgomery Township is evaluating a proposal to transition to a fully staffed, 24/7 career fire department to address growing emergency call volumes, increased response times during nights and weekends, and a decline in volunteer firefighter availability. Our goal is to build a strong, sustainable combination department, with full-time career staff ensuring consistent coverage and a dedicated volunteer team continuing to serve alongside them to serve and protect our community. This page provides residents with clear, factual information about the proposal, including cost impacts, public safety considerations, meeting recordings, and opportunities for community feedback ahead of the 2026 budget adoption in December 2025.
This page is under development and will continue to be updated with key information, data, and documents to help residents understand the background and purpose of this proposal.
Listen to the Podcast Episode - Fighting Fire with Foresight: The Case for a 24/7 Career Department
Montgomery Township is at a pivotal moment in how it delivers emergency services. In this episode, Township Manager Carolyn McCreary speaks with Fire Chief Bill Wiegman about the growing challenge of maintaining safe and timely fire response amidst declining volunteerism, modern construction risks, and increasing emergency call volumes.
The conversation outlines a proposed transition to a fully staffed, 24/7 career fire department — a change designed to improve response times, increase firefighter safety, and better serve the community. This proposal includes the hiring of 19 career firefighters. Township staff are seeking consensus from the Board of Supervisors to include it in the 2026 Township Budget. If included in the budget, it would require a real estate tax increase to fund the expansion.
Learn what’s at stake, what the data shows, and how the Township is planning for the future of public safety — with residents' lives, property, and dollars in mind.
Board of Supervisors Discussion - June 23, 2025
Board of Supervisors Discussion - July 28, 2025