A paperwork problem at Vandergrift borough hall has sidelined both of the town's volunteer fire companies, leaving outside departments to handle every 911 call while officials scramble to restore insurance coverage.
The shutdown followed the discovery on Friday of a lapse in workers' compensation coverage for the borough's volunteer firefighters. With the policy inactive, personnel at both stations have been told they cannot respond to emergencies, a pause that has residents and former firefighters openly worrying about slower response times.
Vandergrift Mayor Lenny Collini said borough office staff realized the coverage had lapsed on Friday and that the policy "could not be reinstated until the following week." He added that "coverage is expected to be fully restored this week," according to WTAE. Collini said the borough's fire companies quickly coordinated with neighboring departments so emergency coverage would not disappear while the insurance gap is fixed.
Two Stations, One Borough
Vandergrift relies on two volunteer companies that are both listed in the county's official roster of fire departments, and both have been benched by the insurance lapse. Westmoreland County lists Vandergrift VFD No. 1 and Vandergrift VFD No. 2 among its stations.
Who’s Answering 911 Now
With the borough's own crews off the call sheet, 911 calls from Vandergrift are being routed through Westmoreland County, which then alerts Armstrong County dispatch so Parks Township units can be sent in. That extra handoff is exactly what residents say has them nervous, since every added step can mean added minutes.
Neighboring departments have already been taking calls inside the borough, and Parks Township was dispatched to an accident "right in front of the fire hall," residents told WTAE. Watching an out-of-town crew race past a dark local station has only sharpened frustrations about the lapse.
Why Workers' Comp Matters, And How Lapses Happen
Under Pennsylvania law, volunteer firefighters are entitled to workers' compensation when they are injured in the line of duty. Courts have treated that coverage and related municipal responsibilities as part of a broader statutory framework that lays out who is covered and when, as reflected in case law compiled by Justia.
At the same time, industry reporting has tracked insurers pulling back or sharply raising the cost of workers' comp coverage for fire departments in recent years, a trend that can leave small boroughs scrambling to keep policies in place. Firehouse reported carriers cutting offerings after changes to state laws expanded presumptions for fire-related illnesses, making coverage riskier and more expensive for insurers.
What Comes Next
Collini said the borough is working to get the policy reinstated and publicly thanked neighboring departments for stepping up to cover calls while local crews are grounded. Officials expect normal operations to resume once workers' comp coverage is back in force.
Until then, residents are being told to keep using 911 for any emergencies and to direct non-emergency questions to the borough office. The hope around town is that the only lasting fallout from the lapse will be a few frazzled nerves and a strong reminder that in public safety, the fine print on an insurance policy can suddenly become everybody's problem.
