This morning, in the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas, Orphans Court Division, Judge Chris Scherer granted approval for a Plan and Agreement of Merger of the Rostraver Central Volunteer Fire Department and Rostraver Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 1. These two entities that have served our community for over 75 years will combine to form the new ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The court approval formalizes nearly two years of planning to provide for a more efficient, effective, and agile organization to deliver fire protection in Rostraver Township.

What will this mean for our residents? Initially, you will see few changes. You will continue to be served by the same fire stations and firefighters, now operating under one organizational structure. We will gradually phase in the public-facing presence of the new RTFD through social media, branding, and signage to replace the legacy departments. As our strategic plan develops, operational changes will take place as needed to optimize service delivery and maximize the effectiveness of your donations and tax investment in fire protection.

Thank you to the members of our organizations for the hard work on this partnership, to the Rostraver Township commissioners and administration for their support, and the Rostraver Township community for their continued dedication to public safety.

Starting today, follow our new social media accounts where we will begin cross-posting information.