VIDEO: York County soon may step into the business of putting out fires. But not without being asked to, at least for now.
Riverview Volunteer Fire Department reached out to the county about making its firefighters full-time county employees. The possibility of the county taking over would be a new step.
“That does put the county, at least in the Riverview district, in the suppression business,” said Andy Merriman, assistant county manager. “We have never been in the fire suppression business.”
York County Council, which has final say, could get its first look at the decision within weeks.
“The county’s intent at this time is not to forcibly take over any departments,” Merriman said. “In this case, Riverview came to us. If other departments have an interest in this, I would certainly have the same conversation with them. But this is Riverview specific.”