A phrase that goes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies to many situations

However, on Wednesday, Butler Township commissioners voted to terminate the joint fire chief agreement it has had with the city of Butler for more than two years.

Its replacement is a program in which volunteer firefighters from the township will be paid stipends to work shifts. This is one of those rare cases in which a system that was working is being replaced with another that also happens to be a good idea.

Under the current system, Fire Chief Chris Switala was stationed at Butler city’s fire station and primarily worked with the city’s full-time firefighters, only working as needed with the township’s volunteer firefighters. The commissioners have terminated the 2018 contract that allowed for Switala to run both departments, and the change goes into effect in a little less than a month.

There are two especially positive elements regarding the new arrangement.

For starters, the termination of the joint chief contract doesn’t nullify the mutual aid agreement between the city and township fire departments. In other words, if a fire breaks out in the township, the city’s firefighters can still be called for assistance — and likewise, the city can call in backup from the township.

Secondly, the volunteer fire district began paying stipends to firefighters to work shifts starting Feb. 1. Commissioner James Lokhaiser Jr. said that, as a result, more firefighters are joining up — in fact, the district received six applications last week. Those who receive the stipend — which averages about $50 per shift — can work from home, but are required to respond to emergency calls. They can also use their time on the clock for training and vehicle and equipment maintenance.

David Zarnick, chairman of the township commissioners, said volunteers at the township fire department had been getting “burned out” by responding to as many as 50 to 60 calls per month.

We hope the stipend will continue to recruit more firefighters and help to alleviate this problem.

In the 1970s, fire departments across the state drew about 300,000 volunteers, but today’s ranks are less than 40,000. However, 96 percent of the state’s firefighters are volunteers, meaning the number of responders in most communities is on the decline.

The city of Butler is one of the rare places that pays its firefighters salaries, so the township’s ability to offer at least some pay to its own is great news.

— NCD