Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
Bensalem Township, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania suspended the operations of the Union Fire Company yesterday, citing “operational issues” that posed a safety risk to both residents and firefighters.
The fire company had been in operation since 1928 and is one of six fire companies in Bensalem.
Public Safety Director Fred Harran issued a press release stating “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.”
Among the concerns being cited was an incident last April where the fire company’s Fire Chief, Vince Troisi, allegedly refused to supply water to another fire company staffed with paid firefighters.
Union Fire Company president, Steven Carmichael, has countered those allegations by accusing Harran of having personal motivations in seeking to retaliate against Chief Troisi for his testimony during a civil trial in 2009 which placed Harran in an “unfavorable light.”
