WINFIELD TWP — Although the volunteer fire department asked for yet another chance to bring the station up to snuff, the supervisors are sticking by their decision to use three surrounding fire departments for fire protection come August.

At Thursday night's supervisors meeting, Adam Hartwig, township secretary, read a long list of basic requirements and deadlines that the supervisors had given to the fire department's leadership, none of which, he said, was completed.

The requirements included providing supervisors with a list of outstanding checks, financial statements, driver qualifications, proof that the department's treasurer is bonded, a list of new and active members and their certifications, a monthly list of calls, number of hours spent on calls, member training, community service hours and other items.

Hartwig told the 50 residents at the meeting that the fire department in the last several years has had several deficiencies in its state audits, and has ignored the supervisors' requirements to create new bylaws and standard operating procedures, follow training recommendations, ensure drivers have the proper emergency training and that firefighters are certified to engage in special operations like vehicle rescues.

The fire department also ignored the supervisors' request to create and adopt a budget, avoid signing blank checks and complete an internal audit of the department annually.

Hartwig said the fire department also failed to apply for a $15,000 grant because it did not use the free reporting software required to be eligible for the grant.

“It is a result of these continued attempts that we are left with the unfortunate decision we arrive at today,” Hartwig said.

The supervisors voted last month to present the fire department with a letter that the station would close in 90 days and the Saxonburg, Herman and Buffalo Township fire departments would cover the township's fire services needs.

Hartwig said he and the supervisors met with about four members of the fire department before the Thursday meeting to stress that their requests and requirements have gone unheeded.

The firefighters, Hartwig said, basically asked for yet another chance.

The firefighters provided the supervisors with a short report on the number of calls they've responded to in the last month and year-to-date, which Matthew Klabnik, supervisor chairman, read during the public meeting.

Hartwig told those at the meeting that the supervisors would rather not close down the 30-year-old fire department, but have no choice.

Pam Stivason, a lifelong Winfield Township resident, said after the meeting that firefighters are good-hearted people with good intentions, but without the skills to run a modern, professional fire department.

She looks forward to having the three surrounding fire departments cover Winfield.

“I'm grateful now we're going to have them,” Stivason said. “I don't think we've had fire protection for the last 15 years.”

She also regrets that the fire station will be closed, but agrees that the supervisors have no other choice.

“We're in a time and space right now where we have to do that,” she said. “The lack of response from (the fire department) is very disheartening.”

A township firefighter of 28 years who did not want to be named said he regrets spending so many years with a fire department that will be closed, but said the three surrounding fire companies would do an excellent job.

Those three departments already respond to all fire and accident calls in Winfield Township upon the request of the supervisors.

None of the residents attending spoke during the public comment session at the meeting.