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Citizens call for Briarcliffe Fire Company to lose certification over alleged racism caught on camera
DARBY TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Nearly a month after the Briarcliffe Fire Company was suspended for the alleged use of racial slurs on a recent virtual meeting, community members gathered to discuss the future of the department. The Darby Township Board of Commissioners on Wednesday held a special meeting that included many vocal community members who said they no longer trust the department. There was a call to remove the department's certification, but the board decided that they will not make any final decision until the District Attorney's Office is done with its investigation.Briarcliffe Fire Company was suspended after a Jan. 27 virtual meeting between township fire companies and commissioners about a potential consolidation. According to a letter from the Goodwill Fire Company obtained by FOX 29, following the end of the meeting, a group of people remained on the call. The letter says there was then a group of people that could be heard discussing the meeting using foul language, and identifies those involved in the conversation as members of the Briarcliffe Fire Company. A Delaware County fire company has been suspended for 30 days after members of the company allegedly uttered racist and derogatory comments following a virtual meeting late last month.The conversation, which lasted an hour and 45 minutes, allegedly included racial slurs when discussing members of other fire companies and township residents.One of the Briarcliffe Fire Company members was also accused of making a joke about, Fanta Bility, a young girl who was killed in a shooting in Sharon Hill last fall."It’s outright racism,", NAACP Local Chapter President Sheila Carter said.