Four PA Firefighters Charged with Calling in False Alarms

Posted by: Curt Varone May 16, 2016 0

Four volunteer firefighters from Pennsylvania are facing criminal charges for calling in false alarms.

Dustin Beckwith, Aric Beckwith, Daniel Johnson, and Edward Perino are facing a number of charges including criminal use of a communication facility, reporting a false alarm to a public agency, and reckless endangerment.

All four were probationary members of Logan Township United Fire Department’s Kittanning Trail Station. They have been suspended from the department.

The investigation began with Dustin Beckwith’s arrest in March after a call was traced. Investigators then were able to connect the others to the calls. Dustin Beckwith and Johnson were reportedly involved in 5 calls, while Aric Beckwith and Perino were involved in one.

 

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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