DARBY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Darby Township officials in Delaware County have shut down an all-volunteer fire company and confiscated its fire trucks due to staffing issues.
The Goodwill Fire Company was placed out of service as of May 22 due to the “inability of the all-volunteer fire company to adequately respond to service calls with fully trained and certified operators,” the township said in a statement.
“They’re hanging their hat on the fact that we don’t have enough qualified members to do what we’re supposed to do. Well, we know what we’re supposed to do,” Dan Assal, the fire company’s interim president, told NBC10.
There are 12 members, Assal explained, and they have been facing the same recruiting challenge that many other companies face.
“The fire company for years has not been treated with respect — none of them have. And unfortunately, we’re in the same boat with a lot of the fire companies around here with limited manpower because no one wants to step up and volunteer,” Assal said.
At a meeting at the firehouse a week ago, Assal said tempers flared. Police responded, and the township took control of the fire trucks.
“They come in with an armed camp, totally prepared for war. And we’re sitting there like bumps on a log,” Assal said.
The township said it owns the fire trucks and took custody of them “to prevent any potential damage,” and so they can be used in the future. Officials cited the closure of the Briarcliffe Fire Company several years ago, when the trucks were stripped and severely damaged before they were returned to the township.
As for concerns about residents losing emergency fire services, officials said Darby Township Fire Company No. 4 will expand its coverage. There are also mutual aid agreements in place with other fire companies in surrounding communities, and they can help as needed.