Fire Chief Hiring Historic For Bensalem Township

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —Bensalem has hired its first career fire chief in township history.

Mark Antozzeski was sworn in Monday afternoon by Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo to oversee the township's career fire department and its six volunteer fire companies.

"We feel his hiring is vital for the township moving forward," Public Safety Director William McVey told Patch on Monday. "I have full confidence in Mark. He has a lot of experience. I'm very pleased to have him here."

Antozzeski will oversee eight full-time and four part-time career firefighters and 160 volunteer firefighters. He will report to McVey.

Antozzeski served in the same role in Middletown Township for the past year.

Before joining Middletown Township, he served as fire chief for 19 years with the Hamilton (NJ) Fire Department and is a 40-year fire veteran.

McVey said that Antozzeski was one of 22 candidates with the final applicants advancing and being interviewed by McVey and the mayor.

He was expected to be introduced before Bensalem Township Council at Monday night's meeting.

Antozzeski began his tenure in Bensalem on Monday, McVey said.

"The officers and members of the Eddington Fire Company would like to welcome and congratulate Mark Antozzeski as he was sworn in today," the fire company said.

Besides the Eddington Fire Company, Bensalem's other volunteer fire companies are the Cornwells Fire Company, Nottingham Fire Company, Newport Fire Company, Union Fire Company, and the Trevose Fire Company.

"Congratulations Chief. We at NFD are excited as to what the future holds," the Nottingham Fire Company said.