Press Release: Friendship Fire Company of Bressler

Swatara Township, Dauphin County

For Immediate Release

April 3, 2024

Swatara Township announces that its Fire Chief has suspended the operations of Friendship Fire Company of Bressler, with immediate effect, following a recent complaint alleging an incident of racial discrimination by the Company’s affiliated social club, which was previously the subject of investigation by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General in 2022. As a result of the prior investigation, at the recommendation of the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division, the Township required that immediate remedial actions be taken by the Company in 2022. The new complaint has been submitted to the appropriate authorities and the matter will immediately be investigated while the Company is suspended. Township Commissioner Thomas Connolly, Chair of the Township’s Public Safety Committee, said, “The Township takes these allegations very seriously, especially in light of the history of this issue and this Fire Company’s social club. I support the Fire Chief’s quick action, referral of this matter to higher authorities, and immediate and thorough investigation.”

The Township will have no further comment while the matter is being actively investigated.