SWISSVALE, Pa. — Firefighters from across the area showed up to a City Council meeting Wednesday evening in support of the former Swissvale Borough assistant fire chief, who they say was fired simply because Swissvale wasn’t called in to help fight a massive fire in Homestead last month.
James Barca is the chief at the Homestead Volunteer Fire Department and was also formerly the paid assistant chief at Swissvale.
“There’s rumors going around that a certain party in Swissvale didn't like it because he was not called to the fire in Homestead,” said Homestead firefighter Ronald Carr.
One man is currently facing arson charges in connection with that blaze, which consumed nine apartments and five businesses on Jan. 23.
Carr, who has been fighting fires for 46 years, said there’s a good reason why Swissvale was not called in to assist.
“The reason is because we got a couple companies already over there from this area and somebody needs to stay back to protect this area,” he said.
Swissvale’s fire chief refused to comment but did refer questions to City Council President Marin Busch, who said he also couldn’t comment because the issue is a personnel one.
That lack of transparency isn’t sitting well with the men who have fought fires by Barca’s side.
“For him to lose his job the next week when he’s a volunteer chief, that’s a big slap in the face not only to him but to us. He's our leader,” said Homestead firefighter Rondel May.
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