PA Crews' Radio Chatter over Fire Call Stirs Controversy

Radio chatter between two Pennsylvania volunteer fire departments has sparked complaints from residents.

Firefighters from Dover Township and Union Fire & Hose Company #1 in York County were responding to a call concerning smoke coming from a pretzel shop Saturday, WPMT-TV reports. In a recording of the radio communication between the two departments, Dover Township's chief is heard telling Union crews to drive past the scene to stage at a hydrant around the corner from the business.

• Union Fire & Hose Company #1: "Engine 9, we're ahead of you. We're not going to stage at the hydrant. We'll assume first due.
• Dover Township Fire Chief Brian Widmayer: "Engine 6, this is Chief 9. You will go to the hydrant as directed."
• Union: "OK, if you want the first arriving scene to go past the scene, we'll go to the hydrant. Would you wish for our manpower to be dropped off?"
• Widmayer: "Engine 6, go to the hydrant as directed or you can go into service—your choice."

The recording was posted to a Facebook page, generating both criticism and support from residents. Widmayer told WPMT that the incident wasn't an issue and that the call had been reduced to "non-emergency confirmed burnt cooking" and firefighters weren't needed. 

Widmayer added that any issues been the two departments had been resolved. He also called much of the negative social media attention to be fake.

Officials from Union Fire & Hose Company #1 would not comment to WPMT about the call.