Emergency responders courageously commit themselves to high-stress, dangerous and uncertain situations to save lives, stabilize critical incidents and protect public safety. For that, we're all truly grateful. This June, we honor men who are rising to the occasion by asking for their perspectives and observations.
Newtown Township Fire Chief Glenn Forsyth
Fire Chief Glenn Forsyth received a proclamation in 2025 to recognize his 50 years of service and to highlight his “courage, selflessness and dedication.”
He began his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Newtown Fire Association. He rose through the ranks to become fire chief of Newtown Township’s career emergency services department, which includes Newtown Fire Rescue. He's been a township employee for 42 years, spending 28 of those years with the police department before transitioning to Newtown Fire Rescue.
Chief Forsyth’s story is woven into the fabric of Newtown itself. A lifelong resident, he grew up in a family where fire service wasn’t just a duty; it was a tradition. His grandfather joined the Newtown Fire Association in 1915, his father and uncles followed; in 1975, Glenn became a junior firefighter. From that day forward, service became who he is.
It was his parents who suggested the sage advice "to give back to the community and always make things better." In that vein, the chief indicates the underpinning of the team's leadership is to push to make residents and buildings safer. They do that through intentionally proactive communications to ensure everyone's on the same page.
Chief Forsyth states an ongoing desire is to provide 24-hour coverage by a career staff, with less reliance on availability of volunteer firefighters; however, the current fire-related budget of $3.7 million doesn't allow for that. He says funding of $7.4 million would be needed.
"I love this town, and from living here my whole life, I'm amazed at how big it's gotten. But it still has its Newtown personality, even though the lifestyles of people who live here have changed," he affirms.
Newtown Township Police Chief John Hearn
Chief Hearn's a graduate of Holy Family University and the FBI National Academy where he also served as the president, Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command, Penn State’s Executive Leadership and FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association. He volunteered for 28 years as a firefighter in Cheltenham Township while also serving as the emergency management representative for the area's five fire companies. His three children followed in his career footsteps, with each also serving in local and federal law enforcement.
He was sworn in as the Newtown Township police chief on Feb. 27, 2019, with his first official day on the job being March 1, 2019, after a 30-year career with the City of Philadelphia.
The best advice he says he received came from his father, who was also his best man in his wedding. "He always said to treat others as you would want others treated, and if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all."
He describes the teamwork that local police officers live by as a unity of people working toward a common goal of public safety, backing each other up, while always open to consider other opinions without the need for animosity or severing relationships. "Leading from the front and a willingness to not allow a rank to determine your ability to lead, while remembering our
character is determined by what we do when no one is looking."
Looking back, he says he wishes he'd known the following before his career began: "Every interaction, positive or negative, will have a lasting effect on the person you're engaging with. Even unpleasant interactions can have a positive effect on people’s lives. People may not remember what you said, but they'll always remember how you made them feel."
He says he appreciates the Newtown community's support and respect toward law enforcement, irrespective of what other communities sometimes face. "Newtown is a great place to work, raise a family or visit. It's the perfect place to be."
Chief Hearn says he can only hope his legacy will be one of a progressive leader that provided his officers with the guidance, mentorship and leadership to continue to serve the community, while equipping them with the best tools, including the best technology advances, required to make their job responsibilities efficient and effective. "They won't remember what I said or what I contributed, but I can only hope they appreciated how I made them feel. People are the most valuable asset in a police agency."
Newtown Borough Police Chief James Sabath
Police Chief James Sabath leads the accredited police department located in Newtown at 22 Liberty St. He's held this position since being selected in late 2017 and starting in 2018. He says he likes to think of the local police squad as working in partnership with community representatives to proactively prevent crime, support victim recovery and hold offenders accountable.
"We work together to coordinate, basically I take the lead from the front approach by still responding to calls to assist the other officers," he says.
He is past president of the Southeast Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police and a member of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and the Chiefs of Police of Bucks County. He also works as an adjunct faculty professor at Bucks County Community College, teaching criminal justice since 1998, as well as for Temple University Police Academy in Philadelphia. Previously, he was the police chief for the Tinicum Township Police between 1995-2017.
Since he was a safety patrol student in grade school, Chief Sabath says he knew he wanted to be a police officer. Now he's celebrating his 45th year of law enforcement.
Among the best advice he received came from a police academy instructor who told him that while police get automatic respect, officers better live up to that calling, do the right things and stand up for people.
"Newtown is a tight-knit, special place with people who deserve special service, especially pedestrian safety in what everyone wants to be a walkable community. In my service, I hope to leave it better than when I got here," affirms Chief Sabath.
Newtown Emergency Medical Services Inc.
Since 1952, the Newtown EMS volunteer and career paramedics and emergency medical technicians have responded to 911 calls from the community with pride, professionalism and a true drive to help those sick or injured. As part of the Bucks County EMS system, Newtown Emergency Medical Services handles 911 calls for assistance from their station in Newtown Township and their sub-station in Washington Crossing at the Upper Makefield Fire Department.
Paramedic Evan Resnikoff is chief of operations for Newtown EMS, and is a Council Rock graduate, Class of 1991. Newtown EMS, a 501(c)(3) organization is comprised of a staff of 50 personnel who are either paramedics, EMTs or Advanced EMTs. They have a primary response area of 32 square miles. Chief Resnikoff says the organization provides primary EMS coverage for Newtown Township, Newtown Borough, Upper Makefield Township and small sections of Solebury, Lower Makefield and Wrightstown Townships.
"I believe in servant leadership and investing in our personnel. Take care of them, and they'll take care of the rest," he states.
He adds that Newtown EMS has a dedicated staff of personnel with no turnover of full-time personnel in more than three years. "Our team lives by the all-in attitude."
As someone who grew up in the Newtown-Richboro area, Evan says he loves the history of the Newtown community and how longtime residents have invested time to protect that history while planning for the future community needs.
"When you're surrounded and supported by people who understand your 'why' and get your mission, they invest themselves in as much as you invest in them, which makes any goal achievable. I received some of this advice from John Dougherty Jr., who was the former director of Bucks County Emergency Management," Chief Resnikoff adds.
Presently in his 11th year as chief, he hopes to leave his impact as someone who's improved the delivery of emergency medical care during his tenure. "I further hope to leave a legacy of demonstrated responsible leadership and have prepared the next leaders to carry on our culture of service to the community," he adds.
Integrity, collaboration, leadership, visionary thinking, community safety, making life better: “Working hard for something you don’t care about is called stress; working hard for something you love is called passion."