A memo over qualifications for staffing resulted in an Upper Darby fire company placing itself out of service Wednesday evening.
After a memorandum outlining certification requirements for the officers on responding firetrucks was issued by Upper Darby Fire Department, Garrettford Drexel Hill Fire Company (Station 20), which is a volunteer station, placed itself out of service about 6 p.m.
In a press release late Wednesday, Upper Darby Mayor Ed Brown said the internal memorandum outlined directives focused on strengthening operational consistency and firefighter safety.
On Thursday, Brown and township Fire Chief Rick Martin held a press conference clarifying the issue.
Upper Darby Fire Chief Rick Martin and Mayor Ed Brown explain that Garrettford Drexel Hill Fire Company didn’t need to put itself out of service, but could not respond to a dispatch if at least one member of the responding crew didn’t have a particular certification. (PETE BANNAN-DAILY TIMES)
Martin said as the new fire chief it was discovered there were policies that existed but had not been consistently enforced, requiring the officer on responding firetrucks need to hold a Fire Officer I certification, a nationally recognized minimum standard for that role.
Martin said the standard is in place to make sure officers make sound and safe decisions when delivering their service and that requirement existed since 2020 in the department.
On Monday an in-person meeting that was also livestreamed, was held with as many as 15 volunteer members outlining the policy.
On Wednesday when the policy was implemented at 5 p.m., the on-duty deputy chief was notified by Station 20 leadership that they did not have a qualified officer available to staff apparatus in compliance with the policy. The station was advised that apparatus could not respond to calls until a qualified officer was available.
Following the notification, Garrettford Drexel Hill Chief James Hobin broadcast on radio that the station was out of service, resulting in the station not being alerted should any call come in.
Martin said he never directed the station to go out of service. In fact it could have remained in service, and if a qualified member responded, the station could respond. However when they were placed out of service, they would not be dispatched.
Brown in the press release said Station 20 remains able, and is encouraged, to respond to any emergency call for which they are dispatched, provided that the responding crew meets the established minimum training requirements. Under fire department policy, apparatus may return to service immediately upon the availability of a qualified officer.
Brown said fire department records indicate that Station 20 has at least 15 members who meet the Fire Officer I certification requirement. He stressed fire apparatus responding to emergencies must be staffed with properly trained personnel, including a qualified officer.
This standard is critical to ensuring safe and effective emergency operations, Brown said.
“Fire scenes are inherently dangerous environments, and adherence to established training and command requirements is essential to protect both residents and firefighters,” Brown said in the press release. “In addition, failure to enforce recognized safety standards can expose municipalities, and ultimately taxpayers, to significant legal and financial liability.”
Brown said the township remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of public safety while supporting all members of its fire service and values and supports the contributions of its volunteer firefighters.
He said the township remains committed to working collaboratively with volunteer leadership to resolve this matter.
“Efforts are currently underway to expedite access to necessary training programs to ensure compliance with established standards,” Brown said. “Residents should be assured that fire protection services remain fully operational. Mutual aid partners have been notified and are prepared to assist as needed to maintain appropriate response coverage.”
The Upper Darby Fire Department continues to respond from its four other stations with 15 firefighters per shift.
The station is in service, Hoban said when reached at 8:45 a.m. He was not able to speak beyond that as he was at his work.
No calls were missed during the out-of-service time.
Asked if certifications are one of the issues that are driving volunteer departments out of business, Martin said he began as a volunteer in 1994 and at that time it required 40 hours of training but the level is substantially more than that now, as much as 200 hours.
He said a fire does not know or care if a person is a career or volunteer firefighter. He also said a citizen does not know or care if the person who shows up is career or volunteer.
Martin stressed that citizens should receive prompt and professional service and firefighters deserve safety. It is leadership’s responsibility to make sure firefighters are properly trained for the safety of all involved.
Martin said residents should not have concern about a firetruck responding. All stations are staffed and in service. Garrettford Drexel Hill as volunteers, and they are in service.