Middletown Fire Chief Leaves For New Job In Bensalem

After just a year of service to Middletown Township, the municipality’s first fire chief has left for a similar job in Bensalem Township.

Mark Antozzeski, a longtime firefighter and leader in New Jersey, started in Middletown Township last February. He left for the Bensalem Township job on February 16.

Don Harris, who most recently served as Middletown Township’s fire marshal before retiring, has been appointed the township’s acting fire chief.

Township Manager Stephanie Teoli Kuhls told LevittownNow.com Harris will serve in the chief role “until we initiate the recruitment process later this year.”

“I can confirm that the chief position is one that we fully intend to fill. It was created out of a strategic planning process that involved four volunteer fire companies and the Board of Supervisors,” Teoli Kuhls said.

The Middletown Township fire chief job was created to lead the Middletown Township Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ paid firefighting and inspection crew and help organize the independent volunteer companies, which are Langhorne-Middletown, Parkland, Penndel, and William Penn. Each volunteer fire company has maintained their own chiefs who command emergency scenes.

Following Middletown Township’s lead, Bensalem Township created a similar role to work with its paid fire crew and volunteers.

Middletown Township and the volunteer fire companies have been working to improve coordination after a 2021 report found there was a “lack of trust and communication” between the township and volunteer crews.

The report recommended a combined model for Middletown Township that uses paid crews and volunteer fire companies. The system would have the volunteer and paid crews working together in a more integrated system, as opposed to a dual system where there is little cooperation and integration.

The township and fire companies recently worked together to order standardized fire trucks. Previously, each fire company was ordering separate equipment.

In other fire service news, Middletown Township named Alan Welsh as its new fire marshal this month.

With a fire service background spanning over two decades, Welsh brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new role, including years as a volunteer firefighter with Nottingham Fire Company in Bensalem Township, according to a Middletown Township statement.

Welsh has been with Middletown Township for eight years, serving as an inspector and firefighter.

“I am excited for growth in my fire career and to learn more material that will help Middletown Township grow in Fire and Emergency Services,” he said.

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