Fire departments across southern Chester County are facing growing financial and staffing pressures as emergency calls rise and the cost of equipment continues to soar, even as demand for reliable service remains high, local fire chiefs said. The three departments in the Kennett Fire and EMS Regional Commission responded to more than 5,000 calls in 2024, up nearly 12% from 2017, driven largely by population growth and increased medical needs. While departments remain largely nonprofit and rely on a mix of municipal funding, grants and fundraising, the price of essential equipment, such as fire trucks and ambulances, has climbed into the millions, with long wait times for delivery. At the same time, departments are shifting away from an all-volunteer model toward a blend of volunteers and career staff, adding costs but helping ensure around-the-clock coverage as fewer residents are able to commit time to unpaid service.
Source: Chester County Press; 2/4/2026