WRIGHT TOWNSHIP---Wright Township volunteer firefighters headed out on a call to Rice Township late Wednesday afternoon.
Rice Township's volunteer fire department was de-certified by township supervisors Tuesday night.
Fire officials in Wright Township said they were first approached to start helping out in Rice Township last year and since January, they have responded to all fire calls in Rice Township.
"The supervisors actually approached us along with Paul Eyerman and they asked us if we would run simultaneous, which means any tone that went out for any kind of inident, we would be rolling with our apparatus," said Wright Township Fire Captain Mark Gusditis.
Wright Township has about 45 volunteer firefighters.
Rice Township had 23 volunteers.
Wright Township fire crews said they have invited Rice Township firefighters to apply to join their department.
Despite the controversy, Wright Township firefighters said things have been going smoothly, responding to calls in both townships.
"Everyone`s been sticking through it and I`m happy to see the turnout of our guys," said Captain Gusditis.
There has been talk of turning the Rice Township fire station into a substation.
The merger talks are in the beginning stages, but Wright Township officials said this could be the start of something really wonderful for the people in Mountain Top, with the start of a unified and more efficient fire department.
Wright Township fire officials plan to meet to discuss the future of the department Thursday night.