Cresson and Lilly volunteer fire companies want to expand a partnership that could save money and provide more resources to firefighters.

Volunteer fire companies struggle to raise money and find enough manpower. That’s why Lilly and Cresson Borough fire companies want to form a corporate partnership: to lower insurance rates and make it easier to get grants for equipment and training.

The two already combined some insurance policies, which saves both companies a combined $9,000 each year, according to Dave Fulton, the president of the Cresson Volunteer Fire Company.

“They’re going to be saving a lot of money on vehicle insurance and building insurance,” William Claar, a volunteer firefighter in Lilly.

Both companies want the support of all eight municipalities they serve because it could affect the boroughs’ insurance policies.

“If there’s a change in the situation, they need to be updated. That’s a priority on the municipality,” Claar said.

“I think if they both stay healthy, financially, I think that’s the main thing. I think working together, they can make it stronger that way,” said Lisa Reffner, a Cresson Borough employee.

Fulton and Lilly fire President Paul Sklowodski stressed that neither company would lose its identity in this partnership.

“There’s a lot of worry that name-changing and the fire department dissolving. That’s never going to happen,” said Claar. “Everything was brought up in this community and we’re going to keep it that way.”

Before moving forward with the partnership, the fire departments are planning a meeting on April 23 at the Lilly Community Volunteer Fire Company with officials from all the municipalities to answer questions and address concerns.