Most members of the Speedwell Fire Company were allegedly under the influence of alcohol after responding to a call earlier this month. Officials have since decertified the fire company serving West Lebanon Township.
According to a letter obtained by the Lebanon Daily News, seven out of nine Speedwell firefighters who responded to a reported fire Dec. 14 had been drinking alcohol. The letter was written by township Commissioner John Brenner to Lebanon County EMA Director Robert Dowd.
"The results of the investigation found that numerous members responded to this incident after consuming alcoholic beverages, to include the operators of both Engine and Squad 39," Brenner wrote.
West Lebanon Township officials suspended and decertified the Speedwell Fire Company and another fire company is now being dispatched to Speedwell's calls as of Dec. 22.
North Lebanon Township police officers investigated a complaint received by the township after firefighters responded to what turned out to be smoke from an oven at a pizza shop.
Police officials confirmed that they were investigating the situation, but did not comment on any possible charges.
Dowd stressed that West Lebanon Township still has fire coverage, with Ebenezer Fire Company now its first responder for fire calls.
Two months ago, a Speedwell firefighter's social media comment put the fire company in the spotlight.
The comment by Saladin Amhed, who is no longer associated with the fire company, was about an illustration on a cereal box.
