PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Bristol Township Council in Bucks County has voted to close one of its volunteer fire departments.
Neighbors crowded a meeting Thursday night to speak against the shutdown of the Newportville Fire Company.
Resident Robert Hasty said safety would be at risk.
“Minutes count,” he said. “If you’re having a problem with volunteers, fix it. Don’t just flush it down the toilet.”
But Councilman Patrick Antonello said it’s not as simple as that. He said a paid fire service would cause taxes to balloon, and there aren’t enough volunteers.
“The reality of it is, moving forward, something’s gotta give,” he said. “We have to consolidate. The numbers don’t work out.”
Neighboring fire companies will now handle emergency calls in that area.
