Erin Stewart of Harmony battles a fire on a burner system with a fire extinguisher. The system trains people how to use fire extinguishers. Assisting her is Jack Carney, assistant coordinator for safety and prevention for the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company.

HARMONY — It’s been about seven months since the Harmony Fire District began operations, and it appears to be doing well.

The fire district, the result of a merger between the former Zelienople and Harmony volunteer fire departments, had an open house Thursday evening to educate residents about fire safety, volunteering and the district itself.

Fire district President Tim Sapienza said the transition from two fire departments to one has gone “very well.”

“It’s probably the best I’ve seen in Butler County, and I’m not belittling the other ones,” he said. “I’ve been anticipating this for years. We’ve got a good group of firefighters.”

Sapienza said the fire district still is searching for a new location for headquarters. The headquarters is currently on Main Street in Harmony, the site of the former Harmony Volunteer Fire Company.

“We’re looking at several sites,” Sapienza said.

Officials said the challenge is finding a site to accommodate members and retain its low insurance service office rating.

The fire district has about 60 active volunteers, about a dozen auxiliary volunteers and three fire police officers.

Fire Chief Scott Garing said the merger addresses the nationwide decrease in volunteer firefighters.

“It went from 300,000 volunteers nationwide to 110,000,” Garing said. “We’re trying to stay ahead of the curve.”

Mike Nanna, organizer of the open house, said, “We’re member-driven. Without members, we’re not driven. The more we can get our face out there and let people know what we’re doing, the more people we’ll get out of it.”

Activities at the event included a bounce house, a fire hose game, a fire extinguisher training system, CPR training and a home fire safety trailer provided by the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Department.

Food was served by the fire district’s auxiliary.

“It’s a great group of people,” said seven-year auxiliary volunteer Joann Rader. “It is one big fire department family.”

The fire extinguisher training gave people the opportunity to put out a flame on a burner system.

Those interested in volunteering can call 724-452-4046 or visit the district’s new website at www.harmonyfire22.org.