Nearly a year ago, David Woglom of Lafayette College's Meyner Center recommended a series of initiatives to improve communications between Bethlehem Township Commissioners and their two very different volunteer fire companies. His suggestions have begun to bear fruit, which was harvested at the June 3 meeting of the township board.

Two volunteer fire companies - Nancy Run and Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Company (BTVFC) - serve the township. Woglom has called them "two halves of a whole, not two separate entities." BTVFC, for example, has an active and financially successful EMS service. Both departments respond to more calls than any other volunteer fire departments in the county.

Commissioners unanimously adopted three recommendations made by a Fire Relations Committee, which consists of fire chiefs as well as commissioners Marty Zawarski and Phil Bernard.

First, they will draft a policy that will provide complimentary family memberships at the Community Center to firefighters who take an active role.

"It makes a lot of sense," said President Paul Weiss. Tom Nolan worried that this might open a Pandora's box for other volunteers seeking similar treatment. But Phil Bernard told firefighters, "I don't see you guys as volunteers. I see you as family that really make an impact on this community."

BTVFC Fire Chief Dave Stapinski described the memberships as an incentive that will attract new volunteers and reward those who respond to calls.

"When Hurricane Sandy hit, I was out for one-and-a-half days and my family was home alone," he added.

The second recommendation approved by commissioners was a five-year capital plan for vehicle purchases.

"This way there's no surprises," Weiss said. Both companies are eyeing four vehicles over the next five years, including the retirement of a ladder truck that is 25 years old. Chief Stapinski explained that it takes nearly a year just to prepare the specs, and after that, another seven months to build the truck.

Just one ladder truck is estimated to cost $1.1 million.

Finally, commissioners agreed to spend $2,870 for a safety inspection on stretchers.

In other business, commissioners entertained a sketch plan for a "We-Store" storage facility on Emrick Boulevard, proposed by developer Abe Atiyeh. Engineer Dave Harte described plans for three buildings, each of them three-stories high, for storage. Unlike self-storage, items would be picked up by facility managers.

Commissioners had no concerns except for parking.

"There's not a lot of parking there," Weiss noted. But Township Engineer Brian Dillman responded that a parking plan will be required before plan approval.

According to Harte, if things go smoothly, this storage facility could be operational this year.

Commissioners will meet again June 17 at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building located at 4225 Easton Ave.