A group of current and former fire chiefs are going to evaluate Coplay's fire department.

At Tuesday's meeting, Councilman Charles Sodl said Whitehall Fire Chief Bob Benner, former Catasauqua Fire Chief Sam Burrows and former Emmaus Fire Chief Bob Rice have agreed to look at all aspects of Coplay's firefighting services and make recommendations to council for improvement.

"What we would ask them to do is evaluate our fire department, evaluate the borough support to the fire department, evaluate our ordinances, evaluate our training, evaluate everything," said Sodl, who chairs council's emergency services committee.

The committee came up with this idea to propose to council, Sodl said. The committee includes Sodl, Councilman Joseph Groller and Council President Lou Bodish filling in for former Councilman Michael Mazur, who resigned last month.

"There are no state laws dictating levels of training for firefighters in Pennsylvania. Each fire station or local government establishes those requirements," said Sodl, quoting correspondence from Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner Edward Mann.

"Part of government's responsibility, one of the major responsibilities, is fire protection and fire services," Sodl said.

Benner, Rice and Burrows have agreed to assist Coplay free of charge, Sodl said.

"We can do this, like now. We don't have to wait a long time," Sodl said. "I'd like to start as soon as possible."

After a few seconds of silence, he quipped, "And there was a hush in the crowd."

Interim Fire Chief Matthew Buskaritz agreed, saying a similar proposal had been made a few years ago but nothing ever came of it.

"I think it's a good idea," said Councilman Bill Leiner Jr.

"I need your help," Sodl told Buskaritz. "Make sure your people all understand what we're trying to do."

Sodl requested a complete fire department roster, with phone numbers and additional information by March 12. Buskaritz agreed.

"This is not political or anything. It's just to get to our goal to supply the best fire service for this town and its residents," said Sodl. "This is just a win-win situation for all of us."