Cressona’s Council President is urging the borough’s two fire companies to merge to form one stronger company.
At last week’s monthly business meeting, soon-to-be Fire Chief Dennis Snyder made a request of council members to increase funding for the two departments – Goodwill #41 and Cressona #1 – as the board finalizes its 2026 budget.
Earlier in the meeting, council members discussed being under the year-to-date spending expectations for 2025. Wage increases for staff members are being considered.
Snyder told council members that he believes both Cressona fire companies provide “excellent” coverage to the borough but it’s coming at a great expense.
“We’re struggling financially,” Snyder told council.
Current Fire Chief Mike Pontician agreed and said, “The cost to do business is extremely high.”
And both officials said that donations and fundraisers aren’t as successful in difficult economic times, further straining the companies’ resources.
Council President Linda Walinsky then urged Snyder and Pontician to move forward with previously discussed plans to merge the companies into one.
“With one unit, you’re stronger,” she said.
Snyder said a merger is not out of the question.
“It’s complicated,” he told Walinsky. “It’s something we’re working toward.”
The council president said the companies should set goals that result in a merger and that’ll help get them through any roadblocks the companies have encountered. She suggested seeing the situation from the proverbial higher altitude.
“Sometimes it’s hard to see that when you’re in the weeds,” Walinsky said.
One concern with a merger of two long-standing fire companies, Snyder said, is losing people who may not be keen on the idea of combining forces.
“It’s not something to rush into,” he said. “The smaller entity disappears. That’s not going to help. It doesn’t help to merge and you lose a good chunk of people.”
Fire Leadership Named for 2026
In other business last week, council members were unanimous in naming Snyder the Fire Chief for 2026. Pontician will be Assistant Fire Chief. They each held the other roles in 2025.
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