In December 2020, Cheltenham’s Board of Commissioners voted to decertify the Ogontz Fire Company, which effectively closed the firehouse. The Board of Commissioners used the findings of two studies, which pointed out inefficiencies in Cheltenham’s fire companies, to decertify Ogontz Fire Company upon the recommendation of the township manager.

In a statement in December from the Board of Supervisors, it was stated that the action was taken after the township manager recommended the move based on a decline in the fire company’s membership which resulted in an insufficient number of firefighters to respond to calls. The announcement went on to state that the Board of Commissioners believed decertification of the Ogontz Fire Company will result in more efficient use of Township resources and its’ volunteers.

There were two items on the February 18th agenda for the Board of Commissioners that were a continuation of the process to decertify the fire company. From the agenda:

b. Ratification of the Board of Commissioners’ decision to no longer recognize Ogontz Fire Company as an operating fire protection entity of the Township, effective December 16, 2020.
c. Authorization to advertise the Board of Commissioners’ intention to consider the adoption of an Ordinance amending Chapter 22 of the Township Code entitled “Fire Department”, Article I entitled “Establishment and Organization”, Section 1 entitled “Establishment of Fire Department” in order to consolidate Fire District No. 5 into other Fire Districts and making other incidental amendments thereto at its regularly-scheduled meeting on March 17, 2021.

Both agenda items passed by a vote of six in support and one abstention (Ann L. Rappoport).

Two members of the fire company spoke during public comment. They asked that the Board of Commissioners delay action while it works to resolve the issues that led to the decertification.

The fire company also filed with the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas an Emergency Petition for a Preliminary Injunction against the move by the Board of Commissioner on February 12th. That petition was denied by Judge Steven C. Tolliver, Sr. on March 1st.

The issue of the adoption of the ordinance is not on the agenda for the Wednesday, March 17th meeting of the Board of Commissioners. The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. and details on how to participate in the virtual meeting can be found within the agenda.

The item pertaining to the fire company reads:

Adoption of an Ordinance amending Chapter 22 of the Township Code entitled “Fire Department”, Article I entitled “Establishment and Organization”, Section 1 entitled “Establishment of Fire Department” in order to consolidate Fire District No. 5 into other Fire Districts and making other incidental amendments thereto

The text of the ordinance can be found by clicking the agenda link above.

Today, March 15th, the Ogontz Fire Company sent a letter to the Board of Commissioners asking it to table the potential adoption of the ordinance and allow the fire company to go before the Fire Board to address how the fire company has taken steps to remedy the issues that drove the decertification. Below is the letter.