McADOO - Plans for three fire companies to merge are full steam ahead, according to the McAdoo Fire Company.
Chief Bob Leshko on Monday updated the Kline Township supervisors on the matter and said the McAdoo Fire Company, Keystone Fire Company No. 1 and the Tresckow Fire Company have agreed to merge.
"The three organizations are merging into one ... and then (will) change the name to what will probably be known as the Southside Emergency Services," Leshko said.
He told the board that the reason for a different name is that the companies will be able to take advantage of McAdoo Fire Company being a 501(c)3 organization and receive a greater tax write-off for donations and fundraising.
Leshko also said McAdoo has a Medicare license, which is required for ambulance services.
The fire companies retained the services of the Nagy Sumner Law offices in Reading.
According to Leshko, attorney Jill Nagy is drawing up the necessary paperwork for finalization of the merger, which is expected to be about Feb. 1, 2015.
"McAdoo and Keystone fire companies will be putting 100 percent of what they have into this merger," Leshko said. "The Tresckow Fire Company voted to place their buildings and apparatus and all their firefighting equipment into the merger."
He said the Tresckow company will separate its social hall and canteen into its own entity.
"At the present time, we do have one common checking account and we have deposited the proceeds from our first fundraiser into that account," Leshko said. "A representative from each of the three fire companies is signing on that account at the present time."
Leshko also told the Kline Township supervisors that officials drawing up the merger are waiting for a letter from the Tresckow Fire Company administrative officers stating that they agreed to the merger and that a vote was in favor of the merger.
Once that letter is received, Leshko said they will move toward buying land for a station near the center area of the coverage area for all three fire companies, from the far portion of Banks Township to the far portion of Kline Township, possibly in the McAdoo Industrial Park.
Until then, Leshko said all of the current firehouses will remain viable and each company will maintain equipment and then figure out what can be discarded or sold off.
"We believe we are well on our way to making this happen," Leshko said.
Kline Township closed its fire company several years ago and McAdoo Fire Company has been covering fires for Kline Township since then. The township now has a working agreement with McAdoo.
Leshko also addressed the Banks Township supervisors about the merger at their meeting on Monday.