EXCLUSIVE: Bristol Twp. Pushing For Fire Company Merger

Bristol Township officials are calling for a merger between two of the municipality’s five volunteer fire companies.

In a letter sent Feb. 10 to the Newportville Fire Company and reviewed by LevittownNow.com, the township stated that a merger between the Newportville Fire Company and Third District Fire Company “must occur, and it must occur quickly.”

The township has set a deadline of June 1 for the two fire companies to begin operating as a single organization.

The ultimatum comes as Newportville, which has been in operation since 1927, struggles with a shrinking volunteer base and a declining response rate, according to the letter signed by Township Solicitor Randy Flager, who copied the township administration and council.

According to township data, the company failed to respond to 26 calls in 2023, and that figure jumped to 64 missed calls in 2025.

The letter pointed to Jan. 19 and alleged the company failed to respond to two calls, including a house fire.

When a volunteer company fails to respond, officials must rely on neighboring stations. The township also has a paid daytime crew to respond to calls and carry out inspections.

The push for merger comes on the heels of the arrest of Newportville’s former chief Frederick Black, who was charged with allegedly misusing station funds.

Volunteer fire companies in Bristol Township are largely funded through fundraisers, investments, facility rentals, money through the township, and state and federal grants.

“The no response statistics over the past few years, coupled with serious mismanagement of Township tax dollars, have left Bristol Township without options,” Flager wrote.

Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito and other fire officials developed a contingency plan last year, as this news organization reported, to cover Newportville’s coverage area if the company closed during the investigation into funds.

Despite the planning, the company has remained operational and cooperated with investigators during the probe, which led to the charges against Black last December.

The recommendation to merge is not a new one in the township of 54,000 residents.

A 2020 state fire study previously suggested that Newportville and Third District merge.

Previous talks between the fire companies and township regarding a shared station eventually stalled, officials said in 2022.

Township Manager Randee Mazur said this week that officials plan to meet with both companies to facilitate a merger, but the municipality wants to let the volunteers handle the specific details.

It remains unclear what actions the township will take if Newportville elects not to proceed with the merger by the June deadline.

Volunteer firefighters remain the backbone of the township’s fire service, Mazur said.

Newportville currently operates two stations: one on New Falls Road and a newer facility on Bath Road.

While each fire company owns its own equipment, trucks, and buildings, Bristol Township provides worker’s compensation insurance and employs a paid daytime staff to respond alongside the volunteer companies to calls.

In addition to the Newportville and Third District fire companies, the all-volunteer Croydon, Edgely, and Levittown No. 2 fire companies also cover the township.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to clarify the township is calling for a merger, not a consolation.