Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Loss of a ‘dedicated leader’
Joel Gramling was known as an advocate for safety and a mentor
UWCHLAN » Joseph “Joel” Gramling III, 80, of Exton, who died on Monday, is remembered as a dedicated leader in the fire service.
Gramling served as fire police captain for Lionville Fire Company as well as past president and secretary. He was a life member, serving since 1973, beginning as a firefighter.
Chester County Department of Emergency Services (DES) Director Robert Kagel said that Gramling performed an instrumental role in having the Fire Police Association interact with county officials and emergency services.
“He did a tremendous amount to raise the standards of fire police in Chester County,” Kagel said.
When Gramling served as the Chester County Fire Police Association president, he worked with the emergency services to offer equipment, training and national certification to fire police. He encouraged them to participate and worked on recruiting new members. His legacy of what he began continues today to help keep the fire police safe so they can protect
firefighters operating at incidents.
“He was an incredibly caring person and he was very dedicated,” Kagel said. “He was always a calm person in difficult situations.”
Kagel was greatly impacted by Gramling sharing leadership advice and positive reinforcement of telling people they were doing a good job and they were the right person for the job. He recalled “very impactful and meaningful interactions with him.” Gramling discussed with Kagel the importance of his role at DES and told him, “don’t forget where you came from” and advised him of the importance of leadership.
Lionville Fire Chief Bill Minahan said that as a firefighter, Gramling helped new members learn how to properly wear their air mask and trained with them. He later helped with traffic control during events and at emergency incidents. He spent the last 10 years concentrating on fire police and keeping everyone safe on the roadway. Minahan and Kagel said that after the line of duty death of Lionville firefighter Dave Good that Gramling was among those that became a voice for the fire company and advocated for public safety.
Good was killed while operating at a crash site. Nine other emergency responders were injured, three seriously, when a tractor trailer lost control on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and slid into the emergency vehicles and the firstresponders. The 20-year anniversary is on March 9.
As he got older, Gramling wanted to help other communities and to help companies with manpower issues or during athletic games helping to direct traffic. He also served as Fire Police Lt. for Ludwigs Corner Fire Company, Minquas Fire Company and he was life member of Uwchlan Ambulance Corps.
“He gave more of himself than anyone,” Minahan said about Gramling, an Army veteran. “He went on from the military to serve in the fire service. He was always helping other people.”
Congressman Ryan Costello said he knew Gramling well.
“Joel was such a kind, decent and giving man, always with a smile on his face,” Costello said. “Chester County was lucky for his presence, compassion and integrity in service to so many others. And Like so many others, I’m saddened by his passing but will cherish my many conversations and interactions with him.”
Gramling served as president from 2006-12 and Ron Miller succeeded him. Miller described Gramling as a “dedicated leader.”
“His leadership made the Fire Police Association the strong organization that it is today,” Miller said. “He did a good job. He got everything rolling.”
Miller said that Gramling secured grants to purchase equipment to keep the fire police officers safe, such as the message boards that warn drivers in advance to slow down because of an incident ahead. He also used grant money to purchase traffic cones which can be used to divert traffic safely away from an incident scene and helps build a barrier to protect the first responders on the roadway.
“Joel led by example,” Miller said. “He always pro fire police officer and it wasn’t always popular to be fire police. He was a constant advocate for fire police in this county.”