A firefighter testifying at the most recent public hearing for the proposed chicken farm near Muncy raised issues about emergency response and safety.

Muncy Vol. Fire Co. Chief Scott Delany noted that among his chief concerns is the ability to navigate and set up firefighting equipment around buildings at the site.

The health and safety of firefighters, he said, is also an issue.

Sunny Side Up Farms LLC, Lancaster County, is proposing to erect five metal barns each housing 70,000 free-range chickens at the 165-acre tract in Muncy Creek Township.

Delany testified that he felt a 150-foot distance between buildings would be more appropriate than the much shorter distances being proposed.

Samuel E. Wiser, attorney for Sunny Side Up, asked Delany how he came up with that figure.

“That’s my recommendation,” he responded.

He said he considered such factors as accessibility of equipment and manpower, the intense heat from a building fire, and the problem of working the hoses bringing water to quell flames.

He said he’d like to see gravel roads as part of the project to eliminate the potential for grass or brush fires.

Delany noted he is concerned not only about the safety of firefighters but the potential damage to expensive fire-fighting vehicles.

He said he has 47 years of firefighting experience including numerous responses to agricultural operations.

At one point, Delany was asked by Wiser if he is “not personally in favor” of the agricultural project.

“I don’t feel one way or another about it,” he said.

Why, Wiser asked Delany, did he indicate “Like” on Facebook in response on the social media site to someone expressing opposition to the facility along Clarkstown Road in Muncy Creek Township.

“I don’t recall,” he said.

During the hearing, Daniel Taptich, a civil engineer, noted his concerns about the project.

Various plans to address stormwater, sewage, odor abatement, and other aspects of the operation have yet to be submitted by the applicant, according to Taptich.

Among the concerns expressed by area residents at past hearings are the potential for odor, flies, biohazards and pathogens from manure in the water table, as well as airborne dust, proximity to homes and businesses, and traffic issues.

The project, Taptich said, “has the potential to have an adverse effect, for sure.”

He noted the impact to nearby residential properties and on surface water and wetlands.

Although the farm would be situated in an agricultural conservation and residential zoned district, he felt a more ideal site for it would be appropriate.

A few area residents also testified.

Howard Williams, of Muncy, asked why the plans did not call for bathroom facilities.

Cindy Collister, Clarkstown Road, Muncy, raised similar concerns as well as about floor plans for the chicken barns.

“Are those chickens that are just flying around?” she asked.

The next hearings to consider both the farm and the solar operation for the project are set to begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 at the Muncy Vol. Fire Co., 932 E. Penn St., Muncy.