The North Huntingdon Rescue 8 squad is not considering expanding its emergency services to include a paid firefighting unit.

Rescue 8 director Chris Price disputed speculation that has surfaced in a rescue vs. fire vein, which is generating great interest on the Web site www.thewatchdesk.com.

One posting suggested that Rescue 8 wants to form a unit of paid members to provide fire protection throughout the township.

In addition, that posting said the ambulance service has explored purchasing a new rescue truck.

"I don't pay attention to what's being rumored on thewatchdesk Web site," Mr. Price said.

"Rescue 8 is not going into the firefighting business. My board has not given me an indication that they would even consider going in that direction.

"And no, we're not looking to buy a new rescue truck, as rumored," Mr. Price added. "Our current truck is old, but still is adequate to enable us to respond to rescue calls.

"We do intend to update rescue tools, though."

Township Commissioners Angelo Furlin and Lee Moffatt are on the Rescue 8 board of directors.

This topic may be among issues that are expected to be discussed tonight during a meeting of township commissioners, Rescue 8 representatives and the municipality's seven fire chiefs. Police Chief Michael Daugherty may attend as well.

The commissioners last month tabled a request by the municipality's Fire Chiefs Association that the firefighters be designated as the primary people who would handle vehicle accidents and physical rescues.

Tonight's meeting will be an attempt to resolve differences between the ambulance unit and the township Firemen's Association, which surfaced during a discussion before the board's action.

Commissioners President David Herold and Chiefs Herman Sieber and William Hinish, of the Larimer and Circleville volunteer fire companies, respectively, said concerns about a new Rescue 8 operational policy of not responding to incidents that would pose low risk to firefighters led to the fire chiefs' request.

"I feel it is incumbent that the commissioners ensure the safety of our firemen during emergency responses," Mr. Herold said.

"Nobody can determine what potential dangers fire personnel may face. A low-risk fire alarm could turn into a disaster.

"What if a natural gas line blows up while firemen are on scene? You can't use study data to pick and choose responses."

According to the chiefs' proposal, Rescue 8 still would provide emergency medical services, including triage during extrication of accident victims.

Mr. Price said Rescue 8 -- which originally was started as a volunteer ambulance unit by township firemen in the late 1950s to ensure their safety during responses -- now has 34 paid emergency personnel and 14 volunteers.

Rescue 8 bills insurance agencies for services provided, including rescue incidents. Township fire companies do not bill for rescue, fire or other emergency responses.

Mr. Price told the township commissioners last month that his unit responded to "about 4,000" calls last year.

Of that total, he estimated "about 100 to 150" were rescue incidents, including automobile accidents.