Rush Township is discussing consolidation of two fire companies by the start of next year.

That concept was broached at a special meeting Monday between the township's board of supervisors and members of the Hometown Fire Company and Quakake Volunteer Fire Company.Board Chairman Shawn Gilbert told the small contingent of firefighters from both fire companies in attendance that the meeting was being held for informational purposes.Gilbert and Supervisor Robert Leibensperger - with Supervisor Jeaninne Motroni absent - asked both fire companies questions specifically about their funding, vehicles and equipment, and membership.Quakake assistant fire Chief Todd Witkowski said the fire department is pretty much debt-free.Supervisors said Quakake firefighters haven't been responding to calls as they should have been.Witkowski said that lately the fire company has been having some issues with manpower and not responding because most of their firefighters work 9-5.However, Leibensperger said some of the calls the fire company hasn't been responding to have been in the afternoon or evening.Witkowski acknowledged that the fire company has missed some calls.Hometown Fire Company treasurer George Gerhard said the fire company has debt from its new truck.Regardless, Gilbert said he realizes the funding the township gives the fire companies only goes so far."We want to have good fire coverage," Gilbert said. "Our thing is the safety of the residents in Rush Township."Gilbert told the firefighters times have changed, and that the township would prefer to have one fire company, with the main location being Hometown.Leibensperger said that right now, Quakake is not a viable fire company because it hasn't been taking as many calls as it should.Gilbert said he believes the proposed consolidation only makes sense."I think it's a no-brainer; I think that's what we're looking to do," he said. "We just want to have good coverage and fund one fire company."Leibensperger suggested that the leaders from both fire departments attempt to get together this week to discuss the possibility.Gilbert summed up the township's perspective on the proposal."We're just looking at the safety of the residents," he said. "We're here to help the community out."Gilbert said the township is leaning toward stopping the funding to Quakake as of Jan. 1.Supervisors asked if the fire companies were on board with the proposed consolidation.Hometown fire Chief Barry Messerschmidt said one of the hardest things about it is the family history that the fire companies carry.However, Messerschmidt said both fire companies would get together to discuss things over.Supervisors said they would like to meet again with the fire companies next month the week of their regularly scheduled October meeting.The board of supervisors will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, but the subject is not expected to be discussed.