This morning the Borough of Conshohocken sent members of its public safety staff to remove the fire trucks from the Washington Fire Company No. 1.

According to sources we spoke to, the fire company did not receive any warning of its removal.

Below is a statement from the Borough of Conshohocken:

The Borough of Conshohocken did not close Washington Fire Company on Friday, July 5, 2019. The Borough did remove Borough-owned equipment from Washington Fire Company, while the Borough attempts to work through administrative and operational items with the fire company’s management team.  That equipment is being housed at, and will be dispatched from, Conshohocken Fire Company No. 2 until further notice.  The County has been informed of this operational change.  The health and safety of the Borough’s residents, businesses and visitors is paramount. Therefore, the Borough of Conshohocken has taken deliberate steps to ensure it continues to deliver the same level and quality of fire service protection to our residents, businesses and visitors during this time. Please contact Borough Hall at 610-828-1092 with any questions or concerns.

Firefighting in most communities across Pennsylvania involves both private and public entities. Firehouses are often privately owned by a club, which has a contract with a municipality to fight fires. The municipalities and grants from other governmental sources often fund the purchase of trucks and the more expensive equipment.

The Washington Fire Company owns its property and firehouse and lots of equipment. The Borough removed the equipment it owns. Pictured at the top is all the equipment taken off the Borough-owned firetrucks and left at the fire company.

More to come.