Program: April 8 – Pottsville Fire Chief – Jim Misstishin
Jim Misstishin has been a volunteer firefighter in Pottsville since 1977. He served for 17 years as Assistant Chief and as Chief since 2018. He is the only paid firefighter in the City. Pottsville Fire Department has 6 companies with 177 active firefighters. Volunteer companies are stressed with a dwindling number of volunteers and increasing costs to fund their operations.
In 2024, the Department answered 1,019 calls. The cost of running a volunteer company and equipping it is high. For example, replacing a standard pumper truck is about $1.2 million. A Tiller Ladder truck, similar to the former Phoenix Truck, is $2 million. A recent study by the department showed that a paid Fire Department in Pottsville would increase the city budget by $6 million. City and insurance company funding only covers part of the expenses. The remainder is through grants and fundraisers. There is also a discussion in Pottsville of adding a 2 mil Fire Tax to help with funding.
The future is uncertain with many volunteer companies being closed. Merging companies to share costs is helpful. The recent merger of the Humane and Phoenix to form Pottsville Fire Co. No. 1 is an example. Another option in the future is Regional Fire Departments, similar to Regional Police Departments. There are 67 municipalities in the County, and there is already a Mutual Aid Agreement, which can have the Pottsville Fire Dept responding to calls throughout the county, and likewise for others to assist in Pottsville.
The City is trying to encourage more volunteers and also keep those actively involved. A program in place puts some of the insurance money received into a pool, which is used to offer a “clothing allowance” to volunteers who answer a minimum of 20 % of the annual calls.
Thanks to Chief Jim for his dedicated service to the City and for an informative program.