EXCLUSIVE: Bristol Twp. Fire Chiefs Raise ‘Safety & Operational Concerns’ In Borough

Bristol Township’s five volunteer fire chiefs have contacted Bristol Borough officials about “significant safety and operational concerns.”

The chiefs of the Croydon, Edgely, Levittown No. 2, Newportville, and Third District fire companies all signed the letter that was sent late last week to Bristol Borough’s mayor, council, and Fire Chief Herb Slack.

The township and borough fire companies often work together due to their shared border.

The fire chiefs, all of whom have significant experience battling flames, said there has been a lack of incident command at scenes in the borough, confusion at the fire scenes due to a lack of command structure, refusal to use a multi-role truck when needed, “unsafe practices by borough firefighters,” a request from a borough fire company that they not be called to some incidents in the township, and a “general lack of concern and blatant disrespect for a township fire chief regarding a safety concern that was raised at an incident.”

The letter was sent to borough officials after the two-alarm fire last month on Farragut Avenue that brought in fire crews from around Lower Bucks County. The township fire chiefs said there was a failure to handle basic functions at the early morning fire scene, lack of defined incident command structure, failure to assign a safety officer, and other issues.

“The above issues relate to the recent fire on Farragut Ave., these operational and safety issues are, unfortunately typical at fires in Bristol Borough. This includes two other recent fires, Bath Street in January and Jefferson Ave back in November. Radio recordings of these incidents, and in some cases online video postings can confirm the existence many of these issues,” the chiefs wrote.

The chiefs have called for the borough to better use a standardized Incident Command System that has been used across emergency departments across the continent and dispatch additional resources from the township when there is a call in the borough.

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The letter sent ripples through the local firefighting community.

Borough officials said they received the letter and are reviewing it.

Slack, the borough’s fire chief who oversees incidents the town’s four fire companies respond to, takes command of most fire-related incidents within the community. He also serves as the borough’s fire marshal, but the borough also relies on the Bucks County Fire Marshal for complicated investigations.

Slack referred a request for comment to Bristol Borough Mayor Joe Saxton, who oversees public safety in the borough.

While there were rumors Slack, a longtime borough firefighter and official, was planning to resign after the letter, Saxton said that was untrue and Slack remained the borough’s chief.

The mayor, a 50-plus year member of a borough fire company, told LevittownNow.com he was working to get a response together for borough council. He said the issue is expected to be mentioned at the public council meeting next week.

The letter from the township chiefs stated it was not to be viewed as a personal attack, but it was created out of “concern” for the safety of all firefighters and residents.

“I felt it was a personal attack” on the chief, Saxton said.

Saxton said he felt the letter was an “unprofessional” way to handle the situation, but he is committed to hearing out the township fire companies’ worries. He added he knows there is room to improve.

“We’re not without warts,” he said.

Those in the volunteer fire service in Bristol Borough and Bristol Township have long talked of communication issues and perceived problems with the way fire officials in the borough handle scenes. Some of those issues have led to clips of fire radio chatter ending up being shared among firefighters and on YouTube.

Saxton said he’s not aware of any major problems during his time as mayor.

“For over 10 years the Fire Chiefs of Bristol Township’s Volunteer Fire Companies have been trying to address significant safety and operational concerns which are typical at fire incidents in Bristol Borough. Addressing these concerns dates back to September 23, 2011,” the Bristol Township chiefs wrote.

The mayor said there was a failed attempt at a meeting about a decade ago, but not all parties were involved or attended.

Saxton said the borough fire companies, the chief, and the emergency management official review incidents on a regular basis. In some cases, they find ways to improve operations.

The mayor pointed to the lack of fire scene injuries and limited damage in recent blazes as examples the borough’s fire scenes are run well.

“Everyone is there to do the same job, but, there’s been these problems for years,” one former borough firefighter said. “Nothing changes and it makes the borough’s companies look bad. They need to change or fix something.”

A state report from January on the borough’s fire protection noted the mayor is designated to oversee the fire companies by ordinance. The borough code states the overall fire command for the town falls under the chief and two assistant chiefs, with one of the two paid assistant chief positions presently being vacant. While there is a borough-wide command structure, each of the four companies in the borough also have its own chief and officers.

The state report recommended that the fire companies, through the fire chief, report directly to the borough manager. It also called for updating other codes related to the fire company operations, firefighter training standards, and look at reducing the number of fire companies.

The mayor said Slack has been a good leader for the fire service and all companies in the borough are working to implement the changes recommended in the report and improve. He said, despite the concerns raised by the township chiefs, he thinks the borough is doing the best they can.

“Can we improve? Absolutely,” the mayor said. “So can they (the township).”

“I can assure them that our fire companies are competent and we are providing competent firefighting services.”

Below is the letter:

Dear Bristol Borough Mayor, Council, and Chief Slack,

First and foremost, please understand this letter is being sent due to an overwhelming concern for the safety of all firefighters who respond to fires in Bristol Borough, as well as the safety of Bristol Borough residents. By no means should this letter be viewed as a personal attack.

For over 10 years the Fire Chiefs of Bristol Township’s Volunteer Fire Companies have been trying to address significant safety and operational concerns which are typical at fire incidents in Bristol Borough. Addressing these concerns dates back to September 23, 2011. On that date, Asst. Chief Riccio and Mayor Lebo were scheduled to attend the township’s fire board meeting to discuss operational relations between Bristol Township and Bristol Borough fire service. Assistant Chief Riccio attended the meeting in 2011 at which time the Fire Chiefs of Bristol Township’s Volunteer Fire Companies expressed the following concerns regarding incidents in Bristol Borough:

• Consistent lack of an Incident Command structure at incidents in the Bristol Borough.
• Operational confusion on the firegrounds due to a lack of a defined ICS which in turn is putting personnel operating on the firegrounds at a higher risk.
• The blatant refusal to use Quint 51 as a engine/pumper when hose lines were needed to protect
  Bristol Township Firefighters entering a burning structure.
• Unsafe practices by borough firefighters
• Questionable abilities/skills of certain personnel riding Bristol Borough fire apparatus.
• A general lack of concern and blatant disrespect for a township fire chief regarding a safety concern that was raised at an incident.
• The request from one particular Bristol Borough company asking not to be called to “less
  serious” incidents in Bristol Township.

Fast forwarding to today, nearly 10 years after the above meeting was held and many of these same issues exist at every significant incident that occurs in Bristol Borough. Clearly, our attempt to address concerns with fire service leadership in the borough has fallen on deaf ears.

To be specific, during the recent fire on Farragut Ave., the lack of a defined Incident Command structure prompted the Bucks County Fire Dispatcher to ask a Chief from Bristol Borough if he was going to take command. In addition, the following operational and safety issues were noted at the Farragut Ave. fire:

1. There was a lack of a defined Incident Commander/command structure: Despite Chief Slack identifying himself as “command” (once prompted by the fire radio dispatcher), orders were still being given by multiple borough Chiefs. This in turn caused operational confusion.
2. Failure to assign basic ICS supervisory positions, including a safety officer!
3. Failure to maintain radio contact: Several times throughout this incident personnel working inside and outside the burning building called “command” via radio but were never answered. This can often be attributed to the boroughs routine lack of a stationary command post with adequate support to handle 2 operational channels.
4. A lack of basic fireground functions: Despite the presence of a Bristol Borough ladder truck directly in front of the fire building, ground ladders, one of the most basic functions of a ladder company were not deployed until a township Chief requested ladders be deployed. The placement of ground ladders as a second means of egress is paramount to firefighter safety.
5. A lack of tactical engagement by some Bristol Borough personnel: During the early stages of the incident, it was noted that some Bristol Borough fire personnel were outside the fire building rather than engaging in routine operations.

Although the above issues relate to the recent fire on Farragut Ave., these operational and safety issues are, unfortunately typical at fires in Bristol Borough. This includes two other recent fires, Bath Street in January and Jefferson Ave back in November. Radio recordings of these incidents, and in some cases on- line video postings can confirm the existence many of these issues.

With firefighter and borough resident safety being at the forefront, we respectfully request the following:

• Bristol Borough fire service utilize the Incident Command System at all significant incidents. Doing so would require the following actions:
  • Have the appropriate officer establish “Command” and a stationary command post.
  • Assign a Safety Officer(s) and all necessary Section, Branch, Division/Group supervisors necessary to safely coordinate and handle the incident.
• Anytime assistance from Bristol Township is requested for a working fire in Bristol Borough, we request the dispatch of at least one piece of apparatus from the 3 surrounding township fire companies; Edgely, Croydon, and Third District. Doing so will enhance the safety of ALL firefighters on the fireground as well as Bristol Borough residents.

Respectfully,

Brian A. Cirard
Chief, Edgely Fire Co.

Thomas J. Tryon
Chief, Croydon Fire Co.

John Doster
Chief Newportville Fire Co.

Chris Shortt
Chief, Levittown Fire Co. No.2

Howard E McGoldrick
Chief, Third District Fire Co.

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