Racial slurs, bullying & failed responses cited in suspension of Pennsylvania fire company
Lots of problems at Lawnton Fire Company in Swatara Township
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A Swatara Township fire company is suspended and no longer responding to calls after an investigation into reports that some members were being subjected to racial slurs, harassment and bullying.
Director of Fire Services Mike Ibberson said the Lawnton Fire Company was taken out of service on May 31. It is prohibited from responding to calls or participating in any EMS operations in Swatara Township until further notice.
Although a complaint of bullying was the catalyst for the suspension, Ibberson said there have been other issues with the fire company for months, such as lack of trained staff and failure to respond to numerous calls. The company had dwindled to about 10 active members in recent years, Ibberson said.
Sam Ruland, York Daily Record:
Director of Fire Services Mike Ibberson said bullying complaints were the catalyst of the investigation, but other issues have been reported with the department, PennLive reported. Some of the issues include a lack of training staffwide and failure to respond to calls and alarms.
“The things that were taking place, from what I’m told — that’s not tolerable,” Township Manager Jim Fosselman told PennLive.
