By Ryan Robinson
The Intelligencer Journal/New Era
LANCASTER, Pa. — A volunteer fireman from Conestoga called 911 three times making false reports of fires because he wanted to ride a firetruck, police said Monday.
Allen D. Nissly, 18, of 105 Chestnut Grove Road, Conestoga, is a member of Blue Rock Fire Rescue and Conestoga Fire Company, Southern Regional police said.
He was suspended from both departments pending formal removal after the incidents, police said.
On Sunday at 11:12 p.m., Nissly called Lancaster County 911 dispatch center and reported seeing an orange glow and smoke in a field from a brush fire in the area of Shenks Ferry and Green Hill roads, police said.
The Conestoga Fire Company and Southern Regional police responded and found no fire or smoke, police said.
A preliminary investigation into the call indicated similarities with another false call placed to 911 less than a week ago, police said. That caller reported a fire in the 5600 block of River Road in Conestoga Township, but none was found.
Then, at 12:38 a.m. Monday, another call was placed to 911 reporting a fully-involved barn fire at Star Rock Farms on Chestnut Grove Road in Manor Township, police said.
Blue Rock Fire Rescue, Conestoga Fire Company and New Danville Fire Company responded and again found nothing, police said.
After the call on Sunday night, Larry Frankford Jr., chief of the Conestoga Fire Company, along with police, began to suspect Nissly was responsible for making the false calls.
Immediately after the 911 call early Monday morning, fire and police officials questioned Nissly, police said.
He admitted to placing the false calls because he wanted to ride a fire truck, police said.
Nissly, a 2011 Penn Manor High School graduate, faces numerous misdemeanor counts of making false alarms to agencies of public safety, police said.
“This is very disappointing,” Frankford said of the incident. “We all strive hard to have a good relationship with the township and the community. It takes just one person to ruin years of good rapport.”
Frankford said that, while the charges against Nissly are serious, he’s happy there were no actual fires or injuries.
“We are very grateful that he got stopped before anything else happened,” Frankford said. “He did not set any fires. He did not hurt or kill anyone. We are very glad of that.”
Frankford said false alarms are costly to a fire company, both in fuel costs and maintenance on trucks and equipment. Plus, firefighters sacrifice personal time and time with their families to respond to calls.
Frankford said, about 50 firefighters were roused from their sleep for the barn fire call.
Nissly served with the Conestoga Fire Company for two months. He had four more months to complete to fulfill the company’s six-month probation period required for all new members.
It was not immediately known how long he was a member of Blue Rock.
Nissly did respond with Conestoga Fire Company on both the Sunday night and Monday morning calls. Frankford was not certain if Nissly was part of the July 19 crew.
Other than the three false alarms Nissly is being charged with, it is not known if he is responsible for any others.
The investigation is continuing.
Staff writer Larry Alexander contributed to this story.
Copyright 2011 Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.