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Pa. police seize fire trucks, shut down volunteer FD

Darby Township police seized two fire trucks and shut down the Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company, citing insufficient certified firefighters.

DARBY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Police officers in Delaware County showed up at a Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company meeting and seized township fire apparatus, citing a lack of required certifications to operate safely.

The Darby Township Police Department and commissioners arrived at Goodwill Fire Company on May 22 to enforce the closure, WPVI reported. In a statement on social media, the township said the fire company is shut down primarily due to its inability to consistently respond to calls with fully trained and certified personnel qualified to operate the fire apparatus.

Officials took the two fire trucks that Darby Township owns.

“‘What are you doing?’ ‘We’re taking your trucks.’ ‘Why?’ ‘You don’t need to know,’” interim president Dan Assal said. “And it was like an armed camp.”

Officials say the Darby Township Fire Company remains operational and continues to provide coverage through mutual aid agreements with neighboring departments.

The future of Goodwill Fire Company will be addressed at the next commissioners’ meeting in June.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.