Rush Township supervisor Robert Leibensperger is hoping there’s a way the township’s volunteer fire policemen can be reimbursed when they respond to incidents.

“It’s hard enough getting volunteers,” Leibensperger said during Thursday’s board meeting.

The rising cost of gas, he feared, might cause fire policemen to quit.

Leibensperger mentioned recent crashes where fire police spent more than four hours on the scene with their vehicles running.

The Hometown Fire Company, which serves the township, does have a vehicle for fire police, but most times, more than one fire policeman is asked to report to a scene.

Leibensperger suggested that the township look into charging insurance companies $25 per each hour a fire policeman is on the scene.

“I see what you’re saying. I don’t know what the legalities are,” township Police Chief Rick Weaver said.

Board Chairman Shawn Gilbert said he understood Leibensperger’s concern.

“You can’t pay the individuals because soon they’ll become an employee,” Gilbert noted.

The board directed township Solicitor Chris Riedlinger to look into the matter.

In other business, supervisors authorized partial payments to Dutchman Contracting for work on the township’s sewer services and municipal buildings.

The structures are being built near the township’s main office in Route 309.