Background checks now required for Pa. volunteer firefighters

Deborah M. Todd
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

NORTH VERSAILLES, Pa. — Volunteer firefighters in North Versailles will now face background checks, thanks to recommendations made after a firefighter was accused of driving one of their trucks while intoxicated.

Bryan Dull, commissioner and chair of fire and rescue, said he and fellow commissioners Dennis Dull and George Beswick met with representatives from the borough's three fire companies Jan. 5.

He said recommendations to maintain a full roster of active firefighters, start the process of background checks, update lists of training certification and to conduct equipment checks were approved and should be implemented by mid-February.

"Basically, we need to create a paper trail," Mr. Dull said. "It's an unfortunate situation because many of these guys volunteer their time, and it's unfortunate that one incident affects all of them."

The background checks will find whether a volunteer has a criminal history or a history of child abuse, and review their driving records.

Shawn Dixon, a volunteer accused of driving a truck while intoxicated, did not hold a commercial driver's license needed to drive a fire truck.

Mr. Dull also said the West Wilmerding Volunteer Fire Department was suspended from duty for two days following the incident. It went back on duty Monday. West Wilmerding fire Chief Daniel Duncan was not available for comment at the time of this writing.

Mr. Dixon was suspended indefinitely from the fire company and will likely be fired.