A firehouse in Upper Darby Township is going up for sale amid a dispute between the nonprofit that owns the building and the township.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 10:25PMA firehouse in Upper Darby Township is going up for sale amid a dispute between the nonprofit that owns the building and the township.
The president of Upper Darby Fire Company 1 on West Chester Pike -- the nonprofit that owns the building -- cited changes in how the township funds its fire companies as the reason for the sale.
"We cannot be in the hole using our funds all the time," said Peter Rorke, president of Upper Darby Fire Company 1. Rorke said the move comes after the township changed its funding process. He said Upper Darby Township previously provided a monthly stipend to cover most operating costs. That stipend totaled $14,000 a month, with equal checks sent to each of the township's five firehouses, or about $850,000 per year.
Township officials have since shifted to a reimbursement model that requires the fire companies to submit bills and receipts for payment.
"The only change here is there needs to be accountability for taxpayer dollars," said Deputy Mayor Crandall Jones. "It's as simple as sending us a ledger of what you spent money on and the receipts you spent the money on, and we will cut you a check for it," Martin said.
Township officials said the process changed in March, and they learned only this morning that Fire Company 1 intends to sell the building rather than operate under the new system.
"This is certainly an orchestrated and planned event, and I think we're very disappointed in the lack of communication," Martin said. "We have the building up for sale that doesn't preclude the township from buying the building," he said. The fire company also cited concerns about staffing. Rorke said the township now staffs the firehouse 24/7 with career firefighters, limiting opportunities for volunteers.
Township officials dispute that claim, saying there is still space for fully trained volunteers but that they are not responding.
"There are a couple of volunteers from station 37 that show up on the weekends for a few hours, and that's great," Martin said. The township said it would be interested in purchasing the firehouse, but the company said that once the listing goes up next week, the township would have to compete on the open market.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
North Hills after school program in Upper Dublin faces possible closure amid funding debateCommunity members and parents are advocating to keep the North Hills Community Center after-school program open amid potential funding cuts by the Upper Dublin School Board.
Read more »
NYC Public Schools nixes controversial plan to relocate beloved Upper West Side middle schoolUpper West Side parents of public school students celebrated on Monday as the city scrapped a controversial plan to relocate the Center School.
Read more »
5 bald eagles found dead in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, prompting DNR investigationState wildlife officials are seeking information on why multiple eagles were recently found dead in an area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Read more »
Man stabbed outside popular bar-and-grill spot in Upper ManhattanThe NYPD is investigating after a man was stabbed multiple times outside a restaurant in Upper Manhattan earlier this month.
Read more »
Delaware County fire company selling building after funding changeUpper Darby Fire Company One is looking to sell its building after a township funding change, citing rising costs and reimbursement delays.
Read more »
Landmark Upper Darby firehouse hits the market amid funding feudFor decades, Upper Darby Fire Company No. 1 has served West Chester Pike. Now, the firehouse could be sold as a funding dispute with Upper Darby Township escalates.
Read more »