LOOKS LIKE SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY TOOK MY ADVICE!!

MORNING ALL! I JUST FOUND THIS WITH MY MORNING PAPER, AND IT REALLY MADE MY DAY. APPARENTLY, THERE ARE SOME FIRE FIGHTERS AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS OUT THERE IN BENSALEM, WHO AR ACTUALLY THINKING FOR THEMSELVES, AND DID SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN SUGGESTING FOR A LONG TIME. WAIT UNTIL YOU READ THIS!!
We as concerned members of the Bensalem fire service have confirmed from FEMA that the grant was awarded to the Union Fire Company to provide a fire/rescue marine unit for the northern part of the Delaware River. The supporting roles of law enforcement and homeland security were not a consideration in awarding the grant.
To clear it up, Mr. Harran's referral of the marine unit as a homeland security anti-terrorist unit is at best, misleading and at worse a deliberate attempt to confuse the public. Mr. Harran has been made aware of this on numerous occasions but refusing to stop proving false and misleading information to the public through his contact at the Philadelphia Inquirer.
We did manage to obtain the following information from another reliable newspaper that was provided this information some time ago. Before we forwarded it to you, several of our group confirmed the information by reviewing the Delaware River and Bay Security information. You can do this too by going to the Coast Guard base in Philadelphia and asking to see the report. The Union Fire Company marine unit was supported to provide fire and rescue services north of Philadelphia on the Delaware River and associated waterways.
In addition, the Sonar unit which has been falsely reported to be a mine detection device for anti-terrorism work was to be utilized to locate missing persons and drowning victims. Nowhere in his continuing attacks on the marine unit does Mr. Harran mention this FACT. Instead, he continues to focus on his homeland security misinformation.
Mr. Harran continues to point fingers at the Union Fire Company to avoid anyone looking at his costly mistakes within the township emergency services. Namely, the SAFER grant that he continues to refuse to discuss, though at some point, it will be discussed at a Council Meeting, the disaster of a $5,350,000.00 training center on Street road, the numerous accidents by the paid fire department, township money given to a fire company to pay for repairs to their ladder truck that should have come out of their tax money and or vehicle insurance, the violations of the Garcia Act which does not permit paid township employees to volunteer within the township for the same service they get paid for, the use of Federal grant money which was given for anti-gang activity (Yep, apparently Bensalem is overrun with gangs!) to conduct traffic enforcement in front of the Sonic restaurant on Street road. When a police officer working the overtime detail was asked about this at the Wawa on Street Road, he replied; "I don't care where the money comes from, just as long as they keep giving the overtime out". Not to mention the tax increases for a rescue squad that receives over $1,000,000.00 a year from taxes and bills for its services. Busier rescue squad in Levittown provides the same quality service as the rescue squad in Bensalem for less than half the tax money. Explain that Mr. Harran.
Approximately May 2005, Chief Troisi and Deputy Chief Drobonick begin a review of the status and capabilities of the Union Fire Company Marine Units. This review included current and future expectations of development and traffic on the Delaware River north of Philadelphia.
It was determined that both current marine units were undersized, under equipment, under powered and had limited capabilities for operations on the Delaware River. The newest of the current marine units was 25 years old and the oldest unit was over 50 years old.
The current marine units provided no protection for the crews from exposure to the elements when operating on the water for extended periods of time. The current marine units did not provide for the safe extraction of injured persons from the water without the potential of causing additional injuries to the patient. Limited crew capacity meant little to no immediate first aid could be administered by the crew to the person or persons being rescued. There was limited space on the current marine units limiting the amount of persons being pulled from the water.
Development of commercial property along the Delaware River in the Union Fire Company first response district included a high rise with a marina. Bensalem Township government confirmed the construction of the high rise and marina in the 3700 block of State Road. There was also planned development at State and Street Roads which includes a marina. There are three additional marinas currently in existence in the Union Fire Company first response district.
Chief Troisi notifies then Deputy Director of Public Safety Harran in the beginning of 2006 that the fire company is researching a new marine unit which will be able to safely operate on the Delaware River. The new marine unit will be an all-weather craft with capabilities of operating at night with crew protection, fire suppression, EMS, law enforcement and hazardous materials response capabilities. Deputy Director of Public Safety Harran acknowledged the report from Chief Troisi; however, he provided no input.
The Union Fire Company continued to research and develop the requirements for the new marine unit from 2006 into 2008. As marine firefighting operations require specialized training, a course of training involving three years of various training programs was developed. These programs included a U.S. Coast Guard marine operations certification class, NFPA standard 1005 (standard for professional qualifications for maritime firefighter), marina fire suppression, commercial maritime fire suppression, and marine incident command training.
The Administrative section of the Union Fire Company developed a funding and sustainability program for the new marine unit.
In Union Fire Company submitted a FY 2008 Port Security Grant Program proposal through the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay.
In 2009, the Union Fire Company proposal review was completed by Sector Delaware Bay Maritime Security Committee (which included the US Coast Guard). Once this group approved the Union Fire Company proposal it was forwarded to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for review and approval. On December 23rd, 2009 the Union Fire Company received a letter from the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay that its grant proposal had been forwarded to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Chief Troisi notified Director of Public Safety Harran that same month at the Bensalem Township Fire Chiefs meeting. Director of Public Safety Harran asked no questions regarding the development of the new marine unit.
In the beginning of 2010, Chief Troisi met with Director of Public Safety Harran and Mayor DiGirolamo regarding the new marine unit project. Director of Public Safety Harran stated that he feared the Union Fire Company grant would affect the township's ability to obtain funding from the Port Security Grant Program. Director of Public Safety Harran stated that he was applying for funds for the township training center for propane heat generators. Chief Troisi stated that if the township's grant would not be approved because of the Union Fire Company grant he would withdraw the Union Fire Company's request for funding. Director of Public Safety Harran then informed the group that he in fact HAD NOT applied for funding through the Port Security Grant Program. Chief Troisi told the group that Union Fire Company would continue forward with the project as it would have no effect on funding for the township.
On August 31st, 2010 Union Fire Company was awarded a grant with a total possible funding of $787,950.00.
Within a month of the award, Chief Troisi was contacted by the Fiduciary agent for the grant stating that Deputy Director of Public Safety Ponticelli called the agency and tried to cancel the grant. When agent advised Deputy Director of Public Safety Ponticelli that the township was not a party to the grant and he could not cancel the grant the conversation ended.
A second call was made by Deputy Director of Public Safety Ponticelli to the fiduciary agent advising them to cancel the grant because the township does not have the matching funds. A representative of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay contacted Chief Troisi and advised him of the phone conversation with Deputy Director of Public Safety Ponticelli. Chief Troisi advised that the township WAS NOT supplying the matching funds.
Chief Troisi contacted Director of Public Safety Harran and Mayor DiGirolamo regarding the interference by Deputy Director of Public Safety Ponticelli. The Director of Public Safety and the Deputy Director of Public Safety were instructed not to interfere with the project by Mayor DiGirolamo.
At a Bensalem Township Fire Chief's meeting in the last quarter of 2010, Chief Troisi advised the group (which included Director of Public Safety Harran and Deputy Director of Public Safety Ponticelli) that the preliminary specifications were almost complete. The basic dimensions of the new marine unit were reviewed. Deputy Director of Public Safety stated that the 22" draft requirement was not possible; the new marine unit would require a 4' draft. When told that the manufacturer confirmed the 22" draft, Deputy Director of Public Safety Ponticelli stated the manufacturer was wrong. In addition to its increased capabilities for rescue, EMS, fire suppression, law enforcement and hazardous materials containment, the new marine unit would be capable of supplying land based fire operations with 5200 GPM of water. This system would act as a back-up water supply system in the event of disruption of water supply from land based systems.
During the course of the development of this project Chief Troisi and members of the Union Fire Company had been in contact with the Pennsylvania Yacht Club regarding docking the boat there. The Pennsylvania Yacht Club was willing to assist the Union Fire Company.
When the Union Fire Company met with representatives of the Pennsylvania Yacht Club in the spring of 2011 the members of the Pennsylvania Yacht Club advised the group from the Union Fire Company that they had been contacted by Director of Public Safety Harran regarding cooperation with the Union Fire Company. Director of Public Safety Harran told them that Union Fire Company would not be getting the new marine unit.
The Mayor was made aware of this continued interference during a meeting between the fire company, the Mayor and the Director of Public Safety. The fire company was assured the interference would stop.
During the course of the construction of the new marine unit there were several meetings between the Union Fire Company, Mayor DiGirolamo and Director of Public Safety Harran. At one meeting, Director of Public Safety Harran stated that he was "concerned" with the cost of insurance. When the fire company checked, they discovered that the township had failed to insure the two boats the Union Fire Company currently utilizes.
Former President Carmichael met with the fire company treasurer and developed a funding plan to insure the marine unit. To this date (7-11-2012) the Union Fire Company has not been informed if their two small boats are insured by the township.
The Director of Public Safety next informed the fire company that he was concerned that the new marine unit would increase workman's compensation claims stating that the fire service and the crossing guards are the two biggest draws on workman's compensation for the township. How this was going to happen, the Director of Public Safety could not explain.
The Director of Public Safety next claimed that he feared the new marine unit would run over Jet Ski operators on the river. It should be noted at no time did the Director of Public Safety, the Deputy Director of Public Safety or any member of the Bensalem Township government ask to view the marine unit or see what its capabilities are.
The Director of Public Safety and/or the Deputy Director of Public Safety filed complaints regarding the Port Security Grant Program proposal submitted by the Union fire Company with the following agencies:
1. Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay
2. Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS GRANT PROGRAM!)
3. Federal Emergency Management Agency
4. The Department of Homeland Security
5. The FBI.
All of these agencies conducted investigations and closed the complaints out as unfounded and/or no action taken. This caused the Union Fire Company unnecessary legal fees. Again no action taken to correct the behavior and conduct of the Director of Public Safety or the Deputy Director of Public Safety.
The Union Fire Company developed a financial and operational plan for this project which came in UNDER budget and required no additional funding from the township to support it. This means that the Union Fire Company INCREASED its capabilities to serve the public on and along the Delaware River, REDUCED the safety risk to its members operating on the Delaware River all at NO ADDITIONAL costs to the taxpayer.
The Director of Public Safety went on TV and stated that the U.S. Coast Guard handled fire emergencies on the Delaware River. There was no need for Union Fire Company to have the new marine unit. The Maritime act of 1974 states that the Federal government no longer carried out marine firefighting operations.
The Director of Public Safety and members of the Fire Marshal's office accused the former chief of failing to supply water to the paid fire company. When the chief attempted to address the issue, the Director of Public Safety THREATENED HIM WITH ARREST FOR INTERFERING WITH A POLICE INVESTIGATION!! This allegation was proven false. It should be noted that when independent witnesses came forward to provide evidence in favor of the chief (including video and still pictures) the Director of Public Safety refused to view the evidence. Though he was publicly accused, he was not publically exonerated.
In June of 2011, the fire company was shut down by the Director of Public Safety for 18 safety issues. The Fire Company was refused access to the list to take corrective action. When the Union Fire Company was finally given the list of 18 safety issues (months later), all items were proved unfounded. There was no public exoneration.
Director of Public Safety Harran demanded that the Union Fire Company increase its insurance coverage from $1,000,000.00 to $5,000,000.00 because that's what the township carries on the vehicles it insures. When asked if the township finally started insuring the other marine units owned by the Union Fire Company, the Director of Public Safety refused to address the issue.
The Director of Public Safety has been permitted to make false and damaging statements without any consequences. Despite written complaints to the Mayor asking for an investigation into the conduct of the Director of Public Safety's conduct, no response has been received from the Mayor.
The conduct of the Director of Public Safety has jeopardized the safety of the citizens of Bensalem, the emergency services personal who must respond on the Delaware River and has terrorized the fire service in Bensalem.
It is a sad state of affairs in Bensalem when unqualified, politically appointed people are allowed to act this way by the government of the township that we elected.
Don't take our word for it.

GO TO THE TOWNSHIP, ASK TO SEE THE SAFER GRANT, ASK TO SEE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GRANT AWARDED FOR THE GANG INTERVENTION! ASK TO SEE THE FIRE SERVICE STUDY PAID FOR BY THE TOWNSHIP! You will be amazed as we were by what was NOT included in the report. We paid over $20,000.00 of our money for a report that failed to note the equipment the township companies have. At least not all of it.
Then go to the US Coast Guard base in Philadelphia and review the information for yourselves! Don't take our word for it.
Wait for the time when someone from FEMA speaks about what is really going on. When they say it is a "local issue" they are implying something! Use your brains!!
Why did the township spend over $80,000.00 for a utility vehicle with rescue equipment if the SAFER firefighters are part of a combination fire department that already has four vehicles equipped with rescue equipment? Meanwhile, the paid engine continues to fall apart.

SCARY ISN'T IT HAMAN?? THERE ARE ACTUAL FIRE FIGHTERS AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS IN BENSALEM, (APPARENTLY, QUITE A FEW!) WHO ARE ACTUALLY THINKING FOR THEMSELVES, AND TAKING ME UP ON MY SUGGESTIONS. THEY ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING UP MY INFORMATION AND FINDING OUT ITS CORRECT!! THE PROBLEM IS, THAT INSTEAD OF REPENTING, AND TURNING YOURSELF IN, YOU STEEP YOURSELF IN FURTHER DENIAL, BELIEVING YOUR OWN LIES SO MUCH, THAT YOU NO LONGER CAN TELL REALITY! GEE, AND YOU AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN CALLING ME CRAZY! AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, I VERY MUCH BELIEVE THAT THE FEDS WILL BE (IF NOT ALREADY) VERY INTERESTED IN YOUR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES, AND THE THINGS YOU HAVE SAID, AND VERY SOON YOUR FREEDOM WILL END.

THE HANDWRITING IS ON THE WALL, HAMAN!!