<\/p>\n Volunteer fire company in Glenolden, Pennsylvania, temporarily shut down, officials say<\/p>\n
02:00<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
“I think it’s a shame. We’re losing a bunch of fire companies. Just opening up our communities to disasters happening,” Vozzelli said.<\/p>\n
Dan Assal said he is the interim president of Goodwill Fire Company, and was there when the engines were taken last week.<\/p>\n
“They do own the trucks, no doubt about it, and of course, typically the fire company gets no respect. They haven’t for years,” Assal said. When asked why he thinks this happened, he said: “I think it’s a vendetta.” Assal continued: “Because of the stuff that’s been going on over the years. People aren’t appreciated.”<\/p>\n
Assal said he was not given an explanation from township officials as to why this all happened. He added the company is always looking for more volunteers.<\/p>\n
“I’d like to see the fire company restored for the safety of the neighborhood,” Assal said. He was asked if he was told how the company can do that and responded: “They haven’t said a thing.”<\/p>\n
It’s not an isolated problem. The number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania has dropped by 90% over the last generation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
State Sen. Anthony Williams, who represents Delaware and Philadelphia counties, is urging others to do their part.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“People don’t volunteer, it’s that simple,” Williams said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said he learned about civic service from his parents.<\/p>\n
“I acknowledge the fact that it’s not easy to balance our civic responsibilities, but if we don’t have anybody doing it, someone has to think through what that’s going to look like to the communities in which they live,” Williams said.<\/p>\n
Upper Darby Township Fire confirms it has and continues to provide mutual aid support for the area.<\/p>\n
Darby Township said until more members are trained and certified, the company will remain out of service.<\/p>\n
\n More from CBS News\n <\/p>\n
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