Steve Roy was elected by the membership of the Lancaster Township Fire Department as the third fire chief of Lancaster Township Fire Department on December 1, 2020, at their monthly business meeting.
After 10 years of relentless pursuit to build a consolidated fire station, Roy announced on October 13, 2020, funding was approved and construction of the new fire station will begin in March 2021 with completion by year’s end.
The new station construction will be funded in part by a loan from the Community Facilities Loan & Grant Program for Pennsylvania rural communities. A federal agency, the USDA Rural Development’s mission is to improve the quality of life in rural America through financing various projects serving populations under 20,000. The balance of funding will come from a capital building savings/investment fund provided by a generous donation by Lancaster Township resident Gil Long, capital fund drive resident solicitation and the sale of the two current fire stations.
The new station will combine the two Lancaster Township Fire Department’s 1945-era fire stations, one in the Village of Bausman and the second in Hamilton Park next to the Lancaster Township office building. Both properties were purchased by the Lancaster Township Board of Supervisors.
The new station will be built along Millersville Pike at the intersection of Charles Road and Millersville Pike next to the Lancaster Township Community Park.
Lancaster Township Fire Department mailed their first capital donation request in November. The mailing was delayed due to the global pandemic, business lock downs and the downturn in the economy.
Chief Roy’s pursuit came with many challenges and changes, both professional and personal.
Roy’s employer, Select Security, was purchased by Brinks Home Security on December 16. Roy is the Director of Acquisition Integration and Technology Systems.
Roy was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. Caught at an early stage, immediate treatment provided a positive improvement. Treatment in January will force him into isolation for six weeks as he recovers. He will miss the first month and a half as the newly elected chief of Lancaster Township Fire Department.
Roy plans to attend meetings and communicate via Zoom conference calls during his six-week isolation period. A computer has been installed in the fire station meeting room to broadcast the Zoom conference calls.
Roy announced his new officer corp during a Zoom meeting of the monthly Lancaster Township Fire Department business meeting.
Fire Chief: Steve Roy; Deputy Chief: Ron Comfort, Jr.; First Assistant Chief/Officer Development: Glenn Usdin; Second Assistant Chief/Training: Chad Slover; Third Assistant Chief/Covering Chiefs & Mentor: Mike Pickard; Captain/Fleet/ Chauffeurs: Mike Adams; Captain Operations/Training: Tom Royer; Captain Administrative Services: Greg Leaman; Truck Co Lieutenant /Mentor: Chris Mosso; and Engine Co Lieutenant: Mel Reyes.
Support Services: Engineer Truck: Gene Gallagher; Engineer Engine 3: Tyler Weiler; Engineer Rescue: Mark Clare; Engineer Support Vehicle/Equipment: Andrew Foster; FF/Medical Officer: Nate Cramer; Air Officer: Mel Reyes; Fire Prevention Officer: Jen Miller
Fire Police: Fire Police Chief Emeritus: Ron Comfort, Sr.; Fire Police Captain: Rod Warner, Jr.; Fire Police Lieutenant: Lori Jones; Fire Police Lieutenant 2; John Jones; Fire Police Sergeant 1: Jason Beiler; and Fire Police Sergeant 2: Carl Jones.
– Fire News photo by Captain Greg Leaman, Lancaster Twp FD
