Dear Neighbor,

The Berwyn Fire Company responded 3,217 times in 2018, setting an all-time record, for total combined calls for both fire and EMS. This is the 4th year since 2014 that our call volume has exceeded over 900 fire responses. In addition, our volunteers and career staff saw an increased call volume for EMS in both Tredyffrin and Easttown Townships compared to the previous year.

In 2019, in the primary T-E are we protect, we anticipate ambulance call volume to increase due to the growing patient capacity at the substance abuse rehabilitation facility, Recovery Centers of America in Easttown, as well as the opening of Brightview Senior Living in Tredyffrin. The aging population, as well as increased residential and commercial development will add to the numbers.

In turn, this puts additional time constraints on our career staff that we depend on to respond around the clock to both fire and EMS calls. This is especially relevant during peak daytime hours when many of our volunteers are unavailable due to working at their regular jobs. We forecast a need to increase our career staff ranks with this anticipated increase in call volume. While we do receive state funding, it is limited in nature and cannot be used to pay for employee's salaries or benefits - our largest expense! The generous donations we receive from our residents and businesses allow us to continue to operate.

Our current firehouse is entering its 90th year, dating back to 1929. While we love our location, the building is need of major upgrades to modernize the facility and make it safe for our personnel. We also continue to focus on building a fire/EMS substation to better deploy and balance emergency resources between both Townships. With last year's closure of the Old Lancaster bridge and a temporary substation erected near the intersection of Cassatt & Rt. 252, our Company saw the value a substation can bring to our communities in the greater Chesterbrook area.

This past December, our Company adopted a 5-year community driven strategic plan, which will serve as a roadmap as we focus on ways to improve our services and overall organizational effectiveness. Follow and Like us on Facebook so you can stay informed of this announcement and other newsworthy happenings at www.facebook.com/BerwynFire.

Support the Fire Company with a Tax-Deductible Donation!

> Donate Online via PayPal at www.berwynfireco.org/funddrive
> Scan our QR code -- included with the letter mailed to your home or business.
> Mail your response card and a check using provided envelope.

Without your support, we cannot operate! On behalf of the membership, Thank You!

Yours in service,

Eamon C. Brazunas, CFO, EFO
Fire Chief
610-644-6050 ext. 16 (Office)
firechief@bewrwynfireco.org (Email)

The Berwyn Fire Company is a registered 501c3 non-profit combination organization that provides primary fire, EMS, and rescue services to 30,338 citizens between Tredyffrin Township and Easttown Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania. As of November 2018, the Office of the State Fire Commissioner recognizes the Berwyn Fire Company as one of only 39 departments in the Commonwealth with 100% of its firefighters, over the age of 18, certified to nationally recognized and sanctioned Professional Qualification standards. To learn more about the Company visit www.berwynfireco.org.