Newtown Township Fire Rescue welcomed two new career firefighters to its ranks.
Chris Bacanskias and Ryan Thomas were sworn in Wednesday evening at the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting.
The appointments come as the department addresses a need to maintain service levels while grappling with a drop in volunteer participation.
Fire Chief Glenn Forsyth introduced the new firefighters to the supervisors and residents.
“This addition to our staff will enable us to continue to meet the needs of the community and provide the service that our community deserves,” Forsyth said. “With the number of volunteers reducing, we need to continue to grow to meet the needs of the community.”
Bacanskias joins Newtown Township with nine years of combined volunteer and career fire service experience. He most recently worked as a firefighter and fire inspector for Bensalem Township Fire Rescue. The Philadelphia resident has also served as a volunteer firefighter with Rockledge Volunteer Fire Company since 2016, where he currently holds the rank of lieutenant. Bacanskias is a graduate of Philadelphia Academy Charter High School.
Thomas brings a decade of volunteer experience from the Warminster Fire Department, where he serves as a lieutenant. He also works part-time at the Center Square Fire Company in Montgomery County. Thomas is a graduate of William Tennent High School and the Bucks County Institute of Technology public safety program’s class of 2017. He also served in the U.S. Army National Guard Corps of Engineers from 2019 to 2023, receiving an honorable discharge.
District Judge Mick Petrucci administered the oath of office to both firefighters.
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