By Jessica Kenley/Monarch Media

Bryan Phelps, Chief of the Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department, sat down with this reporter in the Fire Hall’s refurbished group meeting room on Oct. 24, to discuss the budget and how it affects local residents. 

“We even had elected officials tell us that we had to redo the building,” he commented when walking in, looking around at the large, clean, open space with professional-looking tables and chairs set up. There is a large American flag in the back right corner and high windows to let in the natural light. “It used to be dark paneling…it was built in 1959,” he said, sitting down at the head of one of the tables.

Phelps recently posted a Facebook post about the Fire Department’s budget, and that the cost to the public would be increasing by approximately $11/year in Coudersport Borough. “We don’t bill for calls,” said Phelps, “And we got a lot of positive feedback. Our community is very supportive.”

The Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department is asking for understanding—and a bit more support—from the community it protects. In a recent discussion, Fire Chief Bryan Phelps and Assistant Chief Anthony Cowburn outlined the realities of running a modern, professional-grade volunteer department in an era of rising costs and declining volunteerism.

Despite handling more than 270 emergency calls a year across approximately 250 square miles, the department operates on just $185,000 in fixed municipal funding, supplemented by grants, donations, and fundraisers. According to Chief Phelps, those fundraising efforts—now reaching donors nationwide through online campaigns—were once the department’s lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic and remain essential today.

“Our fixed funding doesn’t cover the basics—utilities, maintenance, or fuel,” said Phelps. “That’s why we fundraise. We’re proud to do it, but no other profession has to hold chicken barbecues just to exist.”

The department’s proposed rate increase for 2025 would raise the average household’s annual contribution from $47.47 to $58.38—a difference of just under $11 per year, or about 91 cents a month. Cowburn noted that some have misunderstood the 20% increase as a major tax hike. “It sounds scary, but 20% of $40 is eight dollars,” he explained. “It’s not 20% of your total property tax bill—it’s a tiny fraction that helps fund your fire protection.”

Coudersport’s fire district covers the borough itself, all of Eulalia and Sweden Townships, one-third of Allegany Township, all of Homer Township, and the northern half of Summit Township. On any given day, the department’s coverage population jumps from about 8,500 residents to nearly 12,000 due to local businesses, schools, and the hospital.

Beyond firefighting, the department’s role has expanded dramatically. Calls for medical assistance have risen more than 30% in the past two years, prompting 11 members to complete EMT certification this spring—bringing the total to 16. “If the ambulance service is tied up, we still go,” said Cowburn. “We’re there to help the community, period.”

Phelps emphasized that modern training and equipment standards don’t just save lives—they also help residents save money on homeowners insurance. “When insurance assessors see outdated trucks and slow response times, rates go up,” he said. “We’re one of only 47 volunteer departments in Pennsylvania meeting national training standards, out of nearly 1,800. That’s something this community can be proud of.”

Still, both chiefs say the department struggles to educate the public about what their taxes actually fund. “People see a total tax bill of $4,000 and hear ‘20% increase’ and panic,” said Phelps. “In reality, we’re asking for the equivalent of less than a cup of coffee a month to keep fire protection strong.”

He encouraged residents to attend township meetings and ask questions directly. “We’re always happy to explain where the money goes,” Phelps said. “Transparency is important to us.”

Both men agree that while the department is well-trained and well-equipped thanks to decades of community backing, public understanding is key to sustaining that success. “We’re lucky to have incredible support,” Cowburn added. “We just want people to know the facts before they see a post online and assume the worst.”

For most homeowners, that “worst” amounts to a few dollars a year—but for the volunteers of the Coudersport Fire Department, it could mean the difference between maintaining professional-grade service and falling behind.

“Our message is simple,” said Phelps. “Be informed, be involved, and know that your support—no matter how small—keeps this community safe.”