Pennsylvania Township Suspends Volunteer Fire Department Over Leadership Problems

BENSALEM, Pa. (WTFX) – Bensalem officials announced Monday that the Union Fire Company’s operations have been suspended due to its leader failing to follow township orders.

“Over the past 12-18 months, there have been many incidents and issues where the leadership of the company has failed to follow both the administrative and operational directions from the Township,” says the news release from the Bensalem Township Department of Public Safety.

No specific incidents were mentioned in the release, but Fox 29 News reported in April on a feud involving the fire company’s chief, who was accused of refusing to supply water to another fire company battling a blaze, according to sources.

The incident apparently stemmed from a dispute between volunteer fire firefighters and the township’s paid firefighters, who were reportedly hired with money taken from funds the volunteer companies get from the township to run on their own, a source told Fox 29 News at the time.

The township’s statement Monday asserts that the suspension of operations for the fire company, based on the 2000 blcok of State Road, will “in no way impact public safety,” adding that other companies have been authorized to serve Union’s coverage area.

The township says the decision “was not the result of an isolated incident, but rather a culmination of numerous incidents and events that have resulted in a loss of confidence in the leadership of Union Fire Company. The majority of the volunteer fire fighters of this company are loyal and dedicated individuals, and this unfortunate but necessary action by the Township should not negatively reflect on them.”

The township also says it’s hopeful the issues will be resolved and their goal is to restore the fire company’s operating privileges as soon as possible.

Public Safety Director Fred Harran was expected to make himself available to answer questions Monday afternoon.