Hartsville Fire Company Has New Chief

WARMINSTER, PA —The Hartsville Fire Company has a new chief.

While the fire company —one of two in the township —had announced the departure of its fire chief of a decade in January, there was no fanfare regarding a replacement.

But the fire company has named one: John Ardiff.

John Ardiff, who has served as assistant fire chief, was named the 2020 Firefighter of the Year.

Ardiff had previously volunteered at the Roslyn Fire Company and Willow Grove Fire Company before coming to Hartsville in 2014.

His quick rise to assistant chief is a credit to his training and education, the fire company said.

Ardiff has two Bachelor of Science degrees in Fire Sciences, holds multiple national certifications, and completed his master's degree in emergency management in 2021.

He was chosen by his peers for his willingness to mentor, ability to lead by example, and eagerness to train —all with a busy work schedule and family life.

He works as a Firefighter/Paramedic and Clinical Coordinator with the Horsham Fire Company and as a Flight Paramedic with the Pennstar Flight Program.

As assistant chief, Ardiff oversaw all training activities.

He replaced Chris McDonald, who left the position after a decade on the job in January.

The fire company said that McDonald will continue to serve Hartsville and the surrounding communities and will still be seen on a fire truck from time to time.

Eric Gottschall is now deputy fire chief and Kenneth Moritz Jr. is assistant fire chief.

The Hartsville Fire Company and the Warminster Township Fire Department handle calls for the township.