Delco Fire Co Condemns Racist Comments, Pushes Back On Closure

DARBY, PA — After the Briarcliff Fire Company in Darby Township was suspended following accusations of members using racial slurs, making alleged threats, and mocking a deceased girl, the company released a statement regarding the current events.

In the statement, the fire company said racial discrimination has no place among its ranks.

"Our volunteers have no place for anyone who engages in any form of racial discrimination or disparagement," the fire company said.

The racial comments were unacceptable, the fire company said, and also added it may get rid of the members who said them.

During the conversations, six members were heard using racial slurs about members of the Darby Fire Township No. 4 Fire Company, assaulting members of the Goodwill Fire Company, arson, and mocking the name of 8-year-old Fanta Bility who was shot and killed in Sharon Hill in August 2021, a letter from the Goodwill Fire Company to the Darby Township Commissioners states.

The Bility family said in a statement that the mocking comments gave a "new meaning to the descriptive 'despicable.'"

"By brazenly mocking Fanta and her death, some associated with Briarcliff Fire Department did a disservice to the community they are sworn to protect, thereby reopening wounds from that fateful night when Fanta lay mortally wounded, though conscious, knowing her life drained away," the family said.

Three Sharon Hill Police officers — Devon Smith, 34, Sean Dolan, 25, and Brian Devaney, 41 — are each charged with a total of 12 criminal counts of manslaughter and reckless endangerment for their actions the night of Aug. 27, 2021 outside the Academy Park High School stadium that led to Fanta's death.

While the fire company's statement took a hard stance against racism, it also pushed back on its suspension.

"We do not feel that the alleged infractions of a few should jeopardize public safety of the residents of Darby Township," the statement said.

The fire company emphasized that no allegations have been made about its response to emergency situations.

Delaware County Emergency Services Director Tim Boyce last week at a news conference said the area served by Briarcliff Fire Company will not be without emergency responders during the suspension, as Darby Fire Township No. 4 Fire Company and the Goodwill Fire Company, as well as surrounding area fire companies, are able to cover that area via mutual aid agreements.

The fire company also said the audio captured of its members could have violated Pennsylvania's recording laws, which could results in felony charges.

However, the fire company said it's taking the accusations seriously and is investigating the incident itself.

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon said the comments were a betrayal of public trust.

"Pennsylvania's firefighters are renowned for the civic community and endless hours they serve our communities," she said. "That's what makes this all the more horrifying."

State Sen. Anthony Williams said the public should not condemn the firefighting community as a whole for these few members' comments. Williams also commended the Goodwill Fire Company, which brought the comments to the township's attention, for shedding light on the incident.

"Light drives out darkness, and that's what happened last night," he said. "Moments like this tell us how much more work we have to do."

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said his office is investigating any potential criminality relating to the incident.

"Whether or not a crime occurred, hate speech is always morally wrong," Stollsteimer said.