Cops, Courts & Fire -Bristol Township

Newportville Fire Company Chief Under Investigation, Sources Say

Published

1 year ago

January 1, 2025

Multiple sources in recent weeks have reported to Lower Bucks Source that an investigation is active and ongoing into the Newportville Fire Company Chief, Fred Black, related to alleged misuse of fire company funds.

Sources, in late fall, said Black was placed on administrative leave by the fire company’s trustees. A subsequent attempt to confirm the specifics of the leave information this month was stymied when all three sources declined to respond to follow-up questions at the time. They cited the possibility their identities would be revealed.

For the last two weeks, word about Black’s leave grew louder because of his absence from fire company calls and related business. Sources outside of the first responder community started to ask this publication if LBS had any information “on this thing going on about 12’s.”

Each of the sources that spoke to LBS did so under the condition that their names would not be made public with all of the sources pointing to the mishandling of funds by Black.

What complicates the allegation(s) further is that the township recently voted to raise the fire tax one mill, which is $20 per homeowner, in the township’s effort to support fire and emergency services provided by Croydon, Edgely, Levittown 2, Newportville and Third District fire companies.

More than two years ago, plans were in the works that would eventually lead to Newportville and Third District combining/consolidating their companies. They would operate out of the new fire house being constructed at the municipal complex. The plan came undone when Newportville backed out of the plan, sources told the publication this summer. Moreover, Newportville fire company personnel were under strict orders to say nothing on the matter or risk expulsion from the company.

A township source said they had heard the investigation into Black and the fire company was being handled by township police, because county detectives felt it should be handled in-house by the police. However, there are precedents in place where municipalities are not supposed to investigate their own employees and/or entities.

The discussion seems to be whether or not, under current law, Black and the fire company fall under the employee designation. In other instances, it does not, a source said Tuesday.

The Bucks County District Attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the investigation Tuesday evening.

In response to the same request, Bristol Township Police’s public information officer Sgt. Jason Mancuso declined to comment.

“At this time, we can not comment on your request. If and when we can I can let you know,” he said.

Bristol Township Council President Craig Bowen said on Tuesday he does not have any information on the situation.

Bristol Township Manager Randee Mazur did not respond to a request for comment that included questions about whether or not the township was aware of any investigation prior to the budget vote to raise the fire tax about two weeks ago.

Spokesperson for the Fire Company, Keith Bidlingmaier, declined to comment Wednesday morning.

“At this time, the department has no comment,” he said.

Black was elected to be Chief about one year ago, according fire company records.

His last known public comments were made in September when it was announced the fire company was awarded a grant to create a “Smoke House” Sensory Room as part of its ongoing mission to educate the community on fire prevention and safety.

The fire company has been operating for just under 100 years and is strategically located on Bath Road often acting as a midpoint station for Bristol Borough, Croydon, and the now Bensalem Volunteer Fire Department when needed.

Newportville is expected to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027 with a huge offering of events.

Attempts to reach Black for comment on this story were unsuccessful as of Wednesday.

Related Topics:Chief Fred Black Newportville Fire Chief Under Investigation Sources Say

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Cops, Courts & Fire -Bristol Borough

Bristol Borough Fire Chiefs Statement on Dorrance Street Fire

Published

3 days ago

March 3, 2026

Jeff Bohen

Bristol Borough Fire Chief Herb Slack on Tuesday morning released the following statement on last nights Dorrance Street Fire.

It’s only been edited for style:

At 6:11 PM, Bristol Borough Fire Companies were dispatched to 340 Dorrance St for a dwelling fire with possible entrapment. The first arriving fire chief found two semi-detached dwellings with exposures on both sides. He immediately asked for the second alarm because of the volume of fire in the two dwellings and rapidly spreading to the exposures.

Fire companies quickly stretched hose lines to protect the exposures and begin extinguishing the fire in the two dwelling. A third alarm was added for additional manpower.

Credit: Submitted

During fire fighting operations, it was determined that there was a one resident had not gotten out of the dwelling. Due to the intense fire, with the first floors fully involved, firefighters were not able to enter the dwelling to attempt to rescue a residents who was wheel-chair bound and had been unable to escape. There was one additional civilian injury and that person was transported to the hospital with possible smoke inhalation. There were no firefighter injuries.

Credit: Joe Nelson

Fire was placed under control at 7:39 PM. Fire companies remained on location for several hours due to the extensive overhauling to ensure the fire was extinguished. The last fire company left at 11:26 PM.

Mutual aid companies supporting fire fighting operations including fire companies from Bristol Township, Bensalem, Falls Township, Middletown Township, Morrisville and Burlington County.

The fire remains under investigation by Bristol Borough and the Bucks County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Cops, Courts & Fire -Bristol Township

Bristol Twp Police Reports: Levittown Man Arrested on Aggravated Assault Charges, License Plate Stolen in Farmbrook and More !

Published

1 week ago

February 26, 2026

Jeff Bohen

Bristol Twp Police Reports Feb 20 to Feb 24, 2026

Arrest 2-20-26, 1631 hours, Bristol Pike, Bristol, Pa. The below subject was arrested on Warrant out of Philadelphia and released to the Philadelphia Sheriff’s. Bryan Pina No Fixed Address

Arrest 2-21-26, 2050 hours, Indian Creek Drive, Levittown, Pa. The below subject was arrested on the charges of Aggravated Assault, Strangulation, Simple Assault, Terroristic Threats, Criminal Mischief and Harassment. The subject was processed and arraigned by Judge Baranowski. Bail was set at $50,000/10% and remanded to BCP. Christopher Helton Tompkins Indian Creek Drive Levittown, Pa

Arrest 2-24-26, 1228 hours, Bath Road, Bristol, Pa. The below subject was arrested on a Local Warrant out of Bristol Township. The subject was processed and arraigned by Judge Wagner. Bail was set at $50,000/10% and remanded to BCP. Sean Edward Hubert No fixed address

Arrest 2-24-26, 1644 hours, Bristol Pike, Bristol, Pa. The below subject was arrested on a Bench Warrant out of Bucks County and released to the Sheriff’s. Steven Louis Robbins No Fixed Address

Theft: Retail 2-20-26, 2240 hours, Bristol Pike, Bristol, Pa. On 2-20-26 at approximately 2235 hours two unknown subjects removed several items passing all points of sale. The estimated value is $20.00.

Theft 2-23-26, 1659 hours, Farmbrook Drive, Levittown, Pa. Sometime overnight an unknown subject removed the license plate from a 2002 Chevy. No value given.

Theft 2-24-26, 1252 hours, Marion Avenue, Levittown, Pa. Sometime over the past two weeks an unknown subject removed a package from a residence. The estimated value is $439.00.

Cops, Courts & Fire -Bristol Township

Bristol Twp. School District Clothing Drive Does More Than Provide Attire, It Provides Stability for Students in Need

Published

1 week ago

February 25, 2026

Jeff Bohen

It is one thing to see a teenage student on their way to school wearing a “hoodie” on a cold winter day.

It is an entirely different image to see a child heading to school on that same cold winter day, not wearing a winter jacket. This is the very image Bristol Township School District and Police Department officials recently joined forces to fight with a significant financial contribution from philanthropist Gene Epstein

The school district said recently it has about 130 students experiencing serious stable housing challenges.

Dr. Meredith Leach School District Social Worker said, holding the drive and providing the needed clothing for students experiencing a period of housing displacement can and does offer not only clothing, but a sense of stability students need to thrive in class.

It’s no secret, Leach said, that a sense of stability leads to achievement. By providing basic needs, such as clothing, they (school district and police department) are trying to put their students in the best possible position to succeed and thrive, despite the housing challenges their families are facing.

Leach said families experiencing housing challenges and alike usually self-identify to the school district and fellow counselors and social workers system wide to coordinate resource support.

“The school district also offers school supplies, hygiene items and if we don’t have it in stock at our offices we order it online.”

“Sometimes something so minor to an outsider, like organizers for clothing drawers, for a student means the world because it gives them a sense of control over some of the life circumstances they’re experiencing.”

“We’re lucky enough to live in a county and state where services for students experiencing this kind of life challenge there are an array of services and resources available,” Leach said.

So lucky that neighboring businesses, such as Five Below in Tullytown, donated to the cause once the clothing drive was announced.

Credit: Joanne Ames – Lower Bucks Source

The Clothing Drive

Leach said the clothing drive idea came to fruition once she and her staff reviewed the numbers and realized about 130 students were in need.

In the human services field (i.e. social work) a measure of your professional success and community connection is always having that one yet-to-be used resource in your back pocket that social workers place on the table when faced with a potentially troubling situation, experts agree.

I saw a social media post from Neshaminy School District that said “we are filling our closets.”

Leach pulled out her “Ace Card” in the form of the Bristol Twp. Police Dept. Officer John Dobbs who in turn reached out to Epstein because they worked well together in the past.

The Epsteins donated to the cause as well as Walmart making a $500 contribution to the effort, Sgt. Jason Mancuso said.

We basically filled everything the school district needed for those 125 to 130 students, Mancuso said.

The Bristol Township Police Union (PBA) contributed a number of gift cards to the effort as well.

Leach in a moment of levity said of the clothing drive spending spree paid for by Epstein, “when do you ever get carte blanche to buy what you want as a social worker? Never!” She admitted to being a bit timid at first when selecting clothing items to purchase.

“Mancuso and Dobbs changed that for me. They grabbed boxes where I was grabbing packets,” she said, in joyous laughter.

The spacious school district office where the clothes are kept and distributed to school district social workers is filled with supplies for students now, thanks to Epstein giving Mancuso his credit card allowing Leach to spend thousands on students in need.

How could I not do it and live in good conscience, Epstein said.

“Those students were in immediate need,” he said “and it would take way too much time to set up a fundraising drive. Here’s my credit card and I don’t care what you spend. Get the kids what they need.”

Credit: Joanne Ames – Lower Bucks Source

“Whatever our students need we’re going to do everything we can to help them. We don’t want any of our students walking around with needs we can help them meet. I like to think we can help our students, and their families to be build a scaffold that they in turn can build upon.”

The response to the need by the Bristol Twp Police, the PBA and the Epsteins was amazing, Leach said.

The student-focused clothing drive officially launched February 2 and remains ongoing until the need no longer exists.

Any clean clothes, even if previously worn, can be dropped off at the Bristol Twp Police records department hallway or at the Bristol Township School Admin Building on Green Lane.

Opus Outreach Foundation joined the clothing drive shortly after it was announced. Items can be dropped off at Opus Elite Real Estate 119 Trenton Road, Fairless Hills. If you want to arrange a clothing drive donation you can call Christy Becker at 267 338-7518.