The West End Fire Co. today took a proactive stance to news that one of its own had been charged with arson by assuring residents they were committed to regaining the community's trust.

In an unprecedented move, Assistant Fire Chief Robert Pacana held a press conference today to express both his shock and horror that his predecessor, Robert Tracey Jr., could somehow be involved in a spree of arsons that has terrorized the city. Tracey, who lived only a few blocks from the two homes where he is charged with setting fires, is in prison in lieu of $2 million bail on two counts of arson.

"No words are sufficient at conveying the anger, frustration and disappointment that the officers and members of the West End Fire Company feel regarding these allegation," said Pacana.

Pacana was sworn in as the company's assistant fire chief on March 9, after Tracey had resigned from the position a month earlier to take a part-time job as a paid career firefighter with the Coatesville Fire Department. Tracey had been involved with the West End Fire Company for 20 years, and is a third-generation volunteer firefighter.

"I recognize how difficult this is for the community that has had to live in fear over the course of the last year. I pray that the residents will not lose faith in the department and will recognize that the actions of one individual should not overshadow the commitment of the men and who who work so hard to protect them," Pacana said. "Make no mistake, this has impacted the morale of our membership; however, we are committed to regain the trust of the community and continue to provide high quality fire protection.

Pacana said he first heard of Tracey's arrest from the news media. Tracey was arrested March after five witnesses linked him to the midnight fires in the 600 block of Madison Street and the 100 block of Hope Avenue. Both fires did minor damage but that was only because of the quick action of residents, according to District Attorney Joe Carroll.

Council Member Ed Simpson who represents council and lives only a block away from the Madison Street fire said he was devastated when he learned of Tracey's arrest. "What can you say . . . words aren't enough when somebody who's trusted with the leadership in the fire company is charged with something like this," he said.

He said he also feels for the other members of the fire company. "We need to keep in mind that the actions of one person should cause us to question the commitment of all the volunteer firefighters that we have learned to depend upon," he said.

Seventy arson-related fires have occurred in Coatesville and neighboring municipalities since February 2008. One of those fires destroyed the home of Tracey's mother.

Pacana said he never noticed anything suspicious about Tracey's behavior nor is he privy to the investigation into the fires by the Chester County Arson Task Force that was formed this year after an arson-related fire destroyed 15 homes on Fleetwood Street and displaced 18 families. He added the West End Fire Company is committed to working collaboratively with authorities regarding the investigation.

He said that in the next few weeks the fire company will be reviewing its policies and procedures in the hopes of preventing a similar situation from reoccurring. "Should Mr. Tracey be found guilty of these charges in a court of law, he will have betrayed not only the trust of the (fire) company, but also the sacred trust of the community that he served," Pacana said.

Since the beginning of the year, two other suspects, Roger Barlow of Downingtown and Mark Gilliam of West Bradford Township, have been charged in connection with 10 fires. Barlow was charged with setting the Fleetwood Street Arson.

The district attorney said at a press conference Monday night that despite the three arrests he couldn't say the arsons have been brought to an end. Carroll said the there remain scores of unsolved arsons that have no connection with those arrested.