Swissvale to Charge for Braddock Hills Fire Calls

Beginning next month, Swissvale Borough will begin charging Braddock Hills for fire service.

Last month, Swissvale Council unanimously agreed to charge Braddock Hills for each fire call the Swissvale Fire Department responds to beginning June 1. The cost of service will depend on the type of call and the equipment involved.

Braddock Hills Volunteer Fire Department and officials had been discussing possibly contracting services or merging with Swissvale or Forest Hills fire departments for service.

The Braddock Hills VFD doesn't have many active members, so Forest Hills and Swissvale firefighters typically respond to fires in the borough, according to Braddock Hills Mayor Mark Vogel. He cited an incident in the last month in which a fire occurred across the street from the fire department, and the borough firefighters did not respond.

Vogel said officials were looking into some sort of deal with the neighboring fire departments to ensure the residents of Braddock Hills have adequate fire service.

Swissvale had submitted a proposal to Braddock Hills, but officials said it hasn't been acted on. In Forest Hills, some council members said they had been left out of discussions, and council had not officially submitted a plan.

Braddock Hills firefighters had expressed an interest in regrouping at a borough council meeting last month, according to WTAE.

Swissvale Council President David Petrarca applauded officials on their decision to charge Braddock Hills.

"I think it shows that we've taken fiscal responsibility seriously," he said. "Our residents can't pay for fire protection in other municipalities."

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