that it would no longer respond to calls until some changes were made.
In an email to PennLive, Highspire Public Safety director Mark Stonbraker said the decision came after several years of struggles with leadership, plus “a number of concerns have been recently brought to Borough Council’s attention as to how the firefighters were responding to calls and the lack of leadership and direction at fire scenes.”
In addition to fire training for all of the department’s volunteers, Stonbraker said he anticipations a reorganization of the supervisors including bringing in an outside chief. The department will still host fundraisers and its social hall will continue operation during the closure. Lower Swatara Township, Steelton, and Middletown fire companies are temporarily handling emergency calls in Highspire Borough.