The second-to-last thing most people want to see during a moment of great struggle like the COVID-19 pandemic is an increase in taxes.

However, the last thing most people would want to see is a decrease in the availability of services that keep residents safe — such as enough funding to keep a local fire department operational.

Two municipalities made what were likely tough — but logical and necessary — decisions this week that involved raising taxes.

In both cases, the increased millage rate was described as a fire tax.

On Monday, Slippery Rock’s board of supervisors voted to implement a 1.5 mill fire tax beginning Jan. 1 (the average citizen would pay $11), while Zelienople’s borough council approved a 1 mill fire tax increase (the rate would increase to 3 mills).

While leaders on both boards likely understand that approving such increases might not be popular, they also recognized their necessity.

“If we’re not supporting the fire department and we lose them, it will be way more expensive,” Slippery Rock supervisor and board chairman Paul Dickey said.

That’s sound reasoning. Local fire departments across the state have long been struggling with issues of funding and recruitment.

In the 1970s, there was a total of about 300,000 volunteer firefighters across the state, but today’s ranks are less than 40,000.

However, 96% of the state’s firefighters are volunteers, so that means the number of responders in most communities is on the decline.

At the same time, studies in 2020 showed the need for emergency response was significantly increased during the pandemic.

A report from the state auditor’s office last year noted that state aid for fire departments totaled $72.5 million eight years ago, but dropped to about $60 million in 2020.

While the funding and manpower to respond to fires has continued to decrease over the years, the need for emergency services has not.

So while a millage rate increase is far from desirable at the current moment — during which the COVID-19 pandemic is in the midst of yet another wave and many people are still recovering financially or without work — a loss of service from local fire departments would be even less attractive.

The boards made the right decision to ensure their communities remain safe and that their fire departments have the necessary resources.

— NCD