Conshohocken native and NBC10 reporter Deanna Durante broke the story today that Lincoln Fire Company No. 56 is planning to close in two weeks. The fire company serves Whitemarsh Township, but has a Conshohocken address. Whitemarsh Township is also served by the Spring Mill Fire Company and Barren Hill Fire Company.

The below video is Durante’s report on NBC10:

As the video above mentions, there will be a public meeting to discuss fire services in Whitemarsh Township. The township’s website states that meeting will be held on Monday, November 21st at 7:00 p.m. and the township building.

One thing to note is that the fire companies aren’t operated directly by the township. They are volunteer organizations that are private clubs. The clubs are contracted by the township and it provides partial funding for their operation. Technically, the township can’t close the fire company, it can just chose to no longer contract it and provide funding. The fire company would then need to decide whether it can continue without that funding. In 2016, Whitemarsh Township budgeted $809,425 towards fire and emergency services (so that number includes a contribution to the ambulance company as well).

More to come.