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 2024, the department responded to 1,401 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 2024, the department responded to 1,401 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. 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.
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.
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
John Painter Jr.
Michael Wysolmerski
Project Updates
November 10, 2025
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.
Operational Shortcomings of the Current Stations
Fire Chief Chris Jordan takes you on a tour of both ETVFD fire stations.
