PA Township Closes Volunteer Company Amidst allegations and Counter Allegations

Posted by: Curt Varone June 14, 2011 1 Comment

Bensalem Township, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania suspended the operations of the Union Fire Company yesterday, citing “operational issues” that posed a safety risk to both residents and firefighters.

The fire company had been in operation since 1928 and is one of six fire companies in Bensalem.

Public Safety Director Fred Harran issued a press release stating “Over the past 12-18 months, there have been many incidents and issues where the leadership of the company has failed to follow both the administrative and operational directions from the Township.”

Among the concerns being cited was an incident last April where the fire company’s Fire Chief, Vince Troisi, allegedly refused to supply water to another fire company staffed with paid firefighters.

Union Fire Company president, Steven Carmichael, has countered those allegations by accusing Harran of having personal motivations in seeking to retaliate against Chief Troisi for his testimony during a civil trial in 2009 which placed Harran in an “unfavorable light.”

Fire Company’s Operations Suspended: MyFoxPHILLY.com

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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