We appreciate the ongoing support from the Exeter Community for the new Emergency Services Building project and our operations. The new facility will house the fire department, EMS, Fire Marshal, and Emergency Management. The Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department proudly provides fire, rescue and QRS coverage to Exeter Township, St. Lawrence Borough and the surrounding community. Over the past five years, the number of calls the ETVFD responds to has grown. In just 2025, the ETVFD responded to a record 1,599 calls. Despite an increase in service to the community, we face limitations of our current facilities. We are in dire need of a new, modern facility to better serve the growing needs of Exeter Township and St. Lawrence Borough.
If you have questions about this project or would like to tour our current facilities, please email inquiry@exetertwpfire25.com.
The Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department proudly provides fire, rescue and QRS coverage to Exeter Township, St. Lawrence Borough and the surrounding community. Over the past five years, the number of calls the ETVFD responds to has grown. In just 2025, the ETVFD responded to a record 1,599 calls. Despite an increase in service to the community, we face limitations of our current facilities. We are in dire need of a new, modern emergency services building to better serve the growing needs of Exeter Township and St. Lawrence Borough.
Currently, the ETVFD operates out of two separate leased locations — Reiffton and Stonersville. The ETVFD, nor Exeter Township own either of these facilities. The respective social quarters own both current fire facilities and the ETVFD leases the property from the social quarters. Responding to an emergency often requires personnel and equipment from both locations. A centralized location is paramount to streamlining our operations. A single, strategically located emergency services building will allow for faster response times. The tentative plans are to have all front line fire apparatus move into the centrally located facility and vacate the two existing facilities (Reiffton and Stonersville), with the exception of working with the social quarters to house reserve apparatus and possibly some specialty apparatus to help provide efficient service to the community.
Beyond response times, our current facilities are simply not equipped to meet the demands of a modern fire department. They lack the necessary space and amenities for proper training, equipment maintenance and firefighter well-being. A new emergency services building would provide upgraded facilities designed for safety (including cancer reduction measures), retention and recruitment. These upgrades would include:
Modern Training Facilities: A dedicated training area, including classrooms and practical training spaces, would allow our firefighters to hone their skills and stay up-to-date on the latest firefighting techniques. This is critical for ensuring firefighter safety and operational effectiveness.
Meeting and Administrative Space: Adequate space for meetings, administrative tasks and community outreach is crucial for the smooth operation of the department. Our current facilities lack the space needed for these essential functions.
Modern Living Quarters: For members who spend time at the firehouse, especially to support our 24/7 staffing program, functional living quarters are essential. This includes private bathrooms and sleeping quarters.
Building a new emergency services building would be a significant investment in the future of fire protection in Exeter Township, providing a permanent home for the ETVFD and ensuring our ability to serve the community for generations to come. Owning our facility would also allow us to design a space specifically tailored to our needs, maximizing efficiency and effectiveness. So far through generous donations, the ETVFD has raised over $500,000 towards this project to help with soft costs and other expenses.
ETVFD members are committed to protecting our community. If you are interested in seeing our current facilities and would like to learn more about our need for a new centralized emergency services building, please email inquiry@exetertwpfire25.com.
New Emergency Services Building Committee
Chris Jordan - Chairperson
Eric Lessig
Brian Rhein
Justin Shaffer
Robert Jordan
Matt Eshenaur
John Painter Jr.
Michael Wysolmerski
Brian Gottschall
Project Updates
April 14, 2026
NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit submitted for expedited review to the Berks County Conservation District (BCCD).
April 13, 2026
Exeter Township Supervisors unanimously (5-0) approved a motion to approve resolution No. 2026-17 for the Sewer Planning module for the new Emergency Services Center
March 24, 2026
A sign has been placed at the site of the new Emergency Services Center site to identify the location and also provide a QR code for more information about the project.
March 23, 2026
Exeter Township Supervisors unanimously approved (4-0) Resolution No. 2026-16 regarding preliminary and final land development approval for the Emergency Services Center. Agenda and memo from the meeting are in the link below.
Boyle and HRG made a presentation to the Exeter Township planning commission for preliminary and final land development recommendations. The planning commission did make some suggestions to adjust the plan, which were well received by Boyle and HRG. The planning commission granted all requested waivers and approved the preliminary plans for the project. Planning commission agenda is in the link below.
The Emergency Services Center plan was presented to the Exeter Township Planning Commission for their review. Dennis Reichel from HRG Engineering and Chris Haller from Boyle Construction Management made the presentation. Members of the planning commission asked questions and raised some minor concerns about the project. We appreciate the support of the planning commission and the township.
On Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 6PM, a Town Hall meeting was held by Exeter Township at the Reiffton School on Dunham Drive. Around 100 people attended the meeting and were given the opportunity to learn more about the project by a powerpoint presentation and breakout sessions about specific parts of the project. After the presentation, the opportunity was given to attendees to comment or ask questions about the project. One resident spoke during this time and provided a favorable comment to the progress of the project.
Exeter Township has submitted an LSA (Local Share Account) Statewide Grant application for $1,000,000 through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the construction of a new Emergency Services Center. Please follow this link for more information about this program:
Exeter Township Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve an agreement with David Blackmore & Associates Inc. in the amount of $17,950 for Geotechnical Services for the Emergency Services Center. These services will be used to investigate the land of the site to see what the composition is and to see what type of foundation may be needed for the building.
September 23, 2025
Exeter Township has submitted a RACP (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program) Grant application in Pennsylvania for economic development projects for the planning and construction of a new Emergency Services Center. This grant application is for $4,500,000.
Here is a link to search for other RACP Grant applications in Berks County:
In Fall 2024, Exeter Township was awarded $500,000 through the RACP grant program for the initial stages of the Emergency Services building project. The $500,000 represented a portion of the initial $5,000,000 request. The $4,500,000 balance is in the 2025 grant application.
September 22, 2025
At the Monday, September 22, 2025 Exeter Township Board of Supervisors meeting, the Exeter Township Board of supervisors voted 5-0 to approve to Adopt Ordinance #876 for the Issuance of General Obligations Bonds. PFM Financial Advisors made a presentation showing the Maximum Parameters Bond Sale process and payment schedule. Prior to the meeting, there was a public hearing to discuss the Issuance of tax-exempt General Obligation Bonds. The purpose of this hearing was to inform the public and receive public comment regarding the Township’s issuance of General Obligation Bonds for the new Emergency Services Center.
Exeter Township has hired an Engineering Firm, HRG – This Allentown PA engineering company has been retained to provide site surveys, topographical survey services, site due diligence analysis, geotechnical engineering, and other related services. The cost of $230,300 will be paid by a combination of reserve funds, bonds, and grants.
August 12, 2025
At the Monday, August 11, 2025 Exeter Township Board of Supervisors meeting, the Exeter Township Board of supervisors voted 4-0 to approve an agreement with MW Studios (https://mwsarch.com/) for architecture design services for the new Emergency Services Center in Exeter Township. The approved amount of the agreement was $756,132. The final agreement will be finalized with Boyle, the township manager, and township solicitor.
July 28, 2025
The committee formed to select the firm that will be responsible for leading the design of the new fire station has chosen, MW Studios (https://mwsarch.com/), based in Maryland. This firm has designed fire stations and public safety complexes throughout the nation and locally. In Pennsylvania, some of their more recent projects include:
City of Reading’s newest fire station
Cumru Township’s fire station, currently under construction
Swatara Township’s Public Safety Complex
Mechanicsville Fire Department.
We are currently negotiating a contract for their services. Once completed, the contract will be brought to the Board of Supervisors for discussion and action. Following approval, the design process will commence, and lead to estimates of the cost for the fire station. Based on the cost, the funding will likely be a combination of grants received, the Wastewater Proceeds Fund, donations, and bond issuance.
May 23, 2025
Architectural Proposal submission deadline to Exeter Township
May 16, 2025
All questions submitted regarding the RFP to be answered.
All questions regarding the RFP for the new fire station were due to township office.
May 2, 2025
Potential architects met with township officials to ask questions about the RFP and tour the site of the new fire station.
April 28, 2025
Exeter Township Supervisors Approved Boyle Construction Management for project management services of the new fire station.
April 17, 2025
Exeter Township issues Request For Proposals (RFP) for Architectural/Planning Services For Exeter Township Fire Department Station
March 10, 2025
The Exeter Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the site location for a new Fire/EMS station. It would be would be located along Gibraltar Road at the former Exeter Township Police Department K9 training area. The supervisors also unanimously approved the township to work with KCBA Architects on the design, engineering and construction of the fire station.
The Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department, at the request of the Exeter Township Supervisors, presented a conceptual plan for a new centrally located fire station in the fall of 2023. The new facility is proposed to be centrally located in Exeter Township, provide 24/7/365 fire protection, and will last for the next 50+ years.
The Exeter Township Supervisors originally approved the new fire station concept in May 1994. The proposed project went dormant for many years, but the concept was once again presented to the board of supervisors in early 2012. The supervisors at the time were very receptive to the idea and moved forward with a public forum in April 2012. Unfortunately, no action was taken.
Discussions continued the following years with multiple concepts at the existing Exeter Township Building site. Over the next few years, the discussion shifted to the Old Promenade location for the centralized township site for all township entities. This discussion gained traction; however, Exeter Township is now in the process of selling that property. In 2023, we were back to discussing the original location at the K-9 training center across the street from the Exeter Township Building.
The renderings in the presentation are conceptual and this current program shows a combined fire and EMS facility.
