Volunteers from a Tamaqua fire company that was suspended from service this spring will again respond to calls.

To do so, East End Fire Company members are becoming a part of the West Penn Fire Company.

“We are ready to roll,” West Penn Fire Chief Jeff Bradford said Saturday.

“Through an agreement to lease East End Fire Company’s station space, apparatus and equipment, West Penn Fire Company is expanding its ability to protect our community while creating an opportunity for dedicated volunteers to continue serving as members of our department,” Bradford announced from the East End’s 553 E. Broad St. headquarters.

Approximately 20 East End firefighters will join the ranks of about two dozen from West Penn.

And it’s hoped that someday, the East End will again be recognized as a borough fire company, Bradford said.

“For us, this agreement is about far more than buildings or equipment,” Bradford said. “It reflects our belief that, at a time when volunteer fire companies are facing declining members, the men and women who are still willing to serve should be supported, valued and given every opportunity to help others. When we invest in our volunteers, we strengthen the service our communities depend on.”

The agreement comes after Tamaqua Borough Council removed East End from service in March for “emergency reasons” including inadequate staffing, failure to maintain proper records and improperly trained response personnel.

The company was decertified in April, despite dozens who showed their support and asked council to reconsider its decision. Since then, Tamaqua’s remaining fire companies — American, Citizens and South Ward — continue to serve.

Bradford said the goal of the agreement is to make sure that the East End volunteers can “continue doing what they love — serving others.”

“We also want to support them in every way we can as they work toward their future,” Bradford said. “If the day comes that East End Fire Company is once again recognized as an independent, certified fire company, no one will be happier than the members of West Penn Fire Company.”

West Penn will lease two of East End’s trucks, which will remain at the East End station.

“While West Penn Fire Company’s main station will remain in West Penn Township, this additional station, apparatus, equipment, and, most importantly, experienced volunteers expand our ability to respond when our neighbors need us most,” Bradford said.

When Tamaqua Borough Council decertified the East End, it noted that the borough had no intention of taking the East End’s building, equipment or assets.

East End, West Penn and other emergency responders were on hand for Bradford’s announcement.

One firefighter questioned whether East End apparatus leased by West Penn would respond to all calls.

“Almost all of them,” Bradford said. “Some would be senseless to make them come down (from Tamaqua to the West Penn area).”

Another questioned whether West Penn — with its new station — could be added to local emergency responders’ run cards.

“Please do so,” Bradford said. “That’s what we want to happen. We want these guys to be invited by whoever wants the help, and whoever wants the equipment.”

All new members and equipment are covered by West Penn’s insurance and workmen’s compensation.

“All that stuff has been taken care of,” Bradford said, noting that the agreement went into effect Saturday.

Asked whether the jointure of the two would cost taxpayers in West Penn Township or Tamaqua borough, Bradford said it would not.

“There is zero cost to the West Penn Fire Company or West Penn Township. There will be no additional cost to the borough of Tamaqua,” Bradford said.

As the meeting closed, Bradford welcomed East End members.

“We truly do look forward to making this relationship work very well, and getting you guys up and running where you belong,” he said.