GLENOLDEN, Pa. - The Briarcliffe Fire Department on Wednesday voted to disband itself, months after the department came under fire for allegedly racist comments made by members following an online meeting.
The announcement came during a packed meeting at the Upper Darby Municipal building. Township Solicitor Michael Pierce read Briarcliffe Fire Department's letter, often time being interrupted by the passionate crowd. "Briarcliffe strongly denies anyone in the township was ever treated differently or discriminated against based on race," Pierce read.
The letter claims that department members don't want to risk their lives if they're not appreciated and cannot survive financially.
The disbandment follows and investigation into allegedly racially charged comments made by members of the department during a late January Zoom meeting between township fire companies and commissioners about a potential consolidation.