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Marla Marcinko
(Articles are in reverse chronological order)
TAB 7
Wilkinsburg Councilman Jason Cohn, and member of the merger's working group commented,
'Wilkinsburg residents will be benefitting greatly in public safety and financially from this
landmark agreement. The City of Pittsburgh is getting an outstanding group of employees that
will serve their residents as they have ours, with professionalism and skill.'
The City's expenses will be covered through annual reimbursements, and the PBF will gain a fire
station, increasing the City's public safety response capacity. The current Wilkinsburg fire station
will become PBF Engine Company No. 16 and will be dispatched to calls in both Pittsburgh and
Wilkinsburg. Currently eight on-duty firefighters respond to a structure fire in the Borough
versus the 23 firefighters that respond to a City fire. The improved response under the merger
will allow Wilkinsburg to meet the National Fire Protection Agency's standards for safe and
efficient fire ground operations. In addition, the PBF will provide emergency management to the
borough including: hazardous materials response; vehicle and technical rescue services; and fire
prevention and education.
Due to the population density of the Wilkinsburg Borough and high amount of structure fires, the
PBF often responds to calls for mutual aid.
'Residents deserve and demand quick public safety responses and professional fire protection,'
Ravenstahl said. 'Operationally, our fire bureau was often called out to structure fires in
Wilkinsburg. Now, the City will be getting paid for it, Wilkinsburg will save money, and
residents will be safer. This is what we call a win-win.'
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