Pa. police seize fire trucks, shut down volunteer FD

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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