Dispatchers Suspended Following Fatal Pennsylvania Fire

Two Luzerne County dispatchers have been suspended without pay as an investigation continues into a fatal fire last week in in Mocanaqua.

Concerns have been raised about the way the fire was dispatched. According to Mocanaqua Volunteer Fire Chief Stephen McDaniels: “From what I understand, there was a fire department over towards the Hazleton way that was dispatched to an address in Conyngham Borough instead of Conyngham Township.”

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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