On January 1, 2005 the Southeastern Adams Volunteer Emergency Services-SAVES- was formed. Now in its 20th year of service the organization continues to plan for the future using many of the strategies that laid the groundwork for two decades of achievement. Recognized as a leader in emergency consolidations throughout Pennsylvania, SAVES has utilized long term planning, community outreach and ongoing recruiting as the foundation for success. Following a comprehensive resource allocation study in the early 2000’s, the consolidation brought together the fire companies of Brushtown, Centennial, Conewago and McSherrystown. SAVES serves the Borough of McSherrystown, Conewago Township and portions of Mt. Pleasant and Union Townships.

Early in the organization’s development, leaders made a strong commitment to strategic planning which included anticipating the needs in a growing community. Good planning has allowed SAVES to adjust to the demands of an increasing call volume and types of emergencies. In 2024 SAVES responded to a record 436 incidents. Adapting to community needs has been reflected in equipment upgrades, advanced training of personnel as well as the recruitment and retention of responders and support staff. Over the past two decades SAVES has remained steadfast in the implementation of best practices in emergency services.

In addition to planning, SAVES leaders recognized at the outset that keeping the community informed would be paramount to success. To that end, a strong community outreach program was developed that makes the community a partner in the operations and vested in SAVES successes and achievements. The program consists of at least one annual newsletter, ongoing social media and continuously creating partnerships and sharing information within the community. Groups like other emergency services, law enforcement, local governments, businesses and non-profits all provide a strong network of information. As a volunteer operation that depends upon the community for financial support, having a solid communications strategy is key.

Vitally accompanying planning and communications is recruiting. SAVES President John Warner says recruiting activity has been and remains critical to SAVES decades of accomplishment. Bringing in new members is a constant which is not limited to emergency responders. Rather, engaging prospective members is a very comprehensive endeavor aimed at all membership categories-responders-support personnel and younger or junior membership.

Dedicated volunteer personnel will always be the bedrock of our operations says Diane Groft, SAVES Membership Secretary. Our community outreach always includes an invitation to residents to consider becoming a new member. SAVES has averaged ten plus new members annually.

SAVES operating budget for 2025 is approximately $1 million. Operations are underwritten from numerous fundraising events, the annual solicitation of businesses and residents, charitable grants and about 15% from local government.

As SAVES begins the third decade of service, it anticipates maintaining the strategies that have been successful for the past 20 years. Most notably will be the ongoing recruitment activity with a strong interest on Junior membership. Over the next two to three years SAVES will complete its apparatus upgrade with the arrival of a new engine-tanker truck and a new ladder truck.

SAVES will be celebrating the 20-year milestone Tuesday, August 5th when it will be co-hosting the National Night Out Program in conjunction with the Conewago Township Police and other local police and emergency groups at SAVES facility on Hanover Road.