Lawrence Township is taking steps to decide if its three volunteer fire companies and emergency medical services (EMS) should be combined into one building.
If this idea is pursued, the township also wants to determine the best location for a new fire and EMS station.
The Lawrence Township Council approved a plan on December 3 to ask for proposals from consultants who could study this.
The deadline for consultants to submit their proposals is January 10, 2025.
As it stands, the council plans to choose a consultant later in January.
Once hired, the consultant will have six months to finish the study and present their findings.
The study follows the recommendation of a subcommittee formed by the Public Safety Coordinating Committee.
The subcommittee was created after residents opposed Cotter Strategies LLC’s 2023 proposal to build a fire station at Route 206 and West Long Drive.
The plan faced strong opposition, especially from Long Acres residents, whose main entrance is on West Long Drive.
Residents expressed concerns about how a nearby fire station might affect property values and quality of life.
They also criticized the process of selecting Cotter Strategies LLC and called for greater transparency in decision-making.
This will be the third time since 2017 that Lawrence Township has hired a consultant to study its fire and EMS services.
Earlier studies were done by The Rodgers Group LLC in 2020 and Cotter Strategies LLC in 2023.
The reports recommended building a new central fire station but differed in details.
The Rodgers Group suggested studying a central location, possibly near Rider University, but didn’t name a specific site.
Cotter Strategies specifically recommended building on land at Route 206 and West Long Drive, making it part of the Lawrence Township Municipal Complex.
This complex includes the municipal building, police department, and municipal court.
The new consultant will look at two big questions: should the fire companies and EMS be combined, and if so, where should the new building be located?
The three volunteer fire companies are Slackwood, located at 21 Slack Avenue; Lawrence Road, located at 1252 Lawrence Road; and Lawrenceville, located at 64 Phillips Avenue.
The Lawrence EMS operates from 165 Pilla Avenue.
The township employs paid firefighters during weekdays, while volunteers cover nights and weekends.
Additionally, the consultant will study how long it takes fire trucks and ambulances to respond to calls under the current system.
They will suggest ways to improve these response times if needed.
They will also take stock of the equipment used by the fire and EMS teams and recommend what needs to be repaired or replaced.
Moreover, they will provide plans for staffing over the next three, five, and seven years to make sure the township is ready for the future.
The Rodgers Group’s 2020 report suggested a central fire station that could house fire, EMS services, and emergency management functions.
Cotter Strategies’ 2023 report expanded on this idea, suggesting the new building could include the Office of Emergency Management, the Emergency Operations Center, a 9-1-1 call center, and the Department of Public Works administrative offices.
However, local concerns about the proposed location at Route 206 and West Long Drive delayed the project and led to this new study.
The new consultant’s findings, expected by mid-2025, will help Lawrence Township decide how to improve its fire and EMS services.
The study will aim to balance emergency responders’ needs with residents’ concerns, providing a clear plan for the township’s future.