Firefighters from Collingdale aid victims of Sandy
Patrick Kilroy, deputy chief of Collingdale Fire Company No. 2, was proud to confirm Wednesday that the department’s 1987 Hahn pumper is out of retirement, permanently, as of Sunday.
Kilroy was among the 15 department and family members who delivered the pumper, as well as other equipment donated by local fire departments, to Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department in Queens, N. Y. The century- old Broad Channel VFD was hit hard by Superstorm Sandy, losing two fire engines, two ambulances and nearly all its fire- fighting equipment.
Not to mention damage to the fire station. It took in about 5 feet of water, Kilroy said.
“We were very well received, and they loved the truck,” Kilroy said.
Department members decided to make the donation after Kilroy received an inquiry from the National Firefighter Endowment about the pumper, which had been up for sale.
“The officers and members were proud to donate the 1987 Hahn,” he said.
Recently, the pumper was on loan to Morton/ Rutledge Fire Co. as members awaited delivery of a new one of their own.
The piece was returned Saturday to Collingdale. Almost immediately, members began making preparations for the trip north, Kilroy said. A small convoy of four vehicles, plus the pumper, left Collingdale about 10 a. m. and arrived in Queens about two and a half hours later.
In addition to the pumper, members delivered two truckloads of equipment donated from Collingdale No. 1, Darby No. 1, Glenolden, Folcroft and Holmes fire departments. The Nazarene Church of Collingdale also donated 15 crates of food, which was delivered to the American Legion and a FEMA post for distribution, Kilroy said.
Broad Channel is only one of 10 volunteer fire departments in NYC, according to Kilroy. As a 501 ( C) 3 not- forprofit organization, it relies on door- to- door fund raising and grants.
According to Collingdale Fire Co. No. 2 website, Broad Channel VFD receives fire response support from the Fire Department New York, but are the first line of defense for some 3,000 residents.
The Broad Channel neighborhood was under water for several hours. The fire department’s 1988 Hahn pumper, operating at the Breezy Point neighborhood where an out- of- control, six- alarm blaze destroyed some 50 homes, caught fire after an electrical short and was totaled. It’s 1984 Maxim, which also operated throughout the storm, was totaled by flood waters.
Collingdale’s replacement pumper is valued at $ 5,000.
It’s worth to a community in need is undoubtedly priceless. And the good will continues. Come Saturday, firefighters from across the county are holding a benefit bonfire to raise funds for fire companies in New Jersey that lost equipment, fire trucks and buildings in the superstorm. A number of New Jersey fire companies were impacted by Sandy. Some lost everything, from turnout gear to trucks.
The benefit bonfire will be held from 6- 9 p. m. Saturday at the Lenni Heights Fire Department, 312 Lenni Road, in the Lenni section of Middletown Township. Everyone is invited to attend. Gift cards, cash, checks, non- perishables, batteries, hand warmers, wool socks, winter gloves and other items are requested. Paypal donations can be made to dcfrnsandy@gmail.com.
Wawa Markets are donating 2,700 containers of juice to the fund raiser.
Donations of gear and equipment donations are also being accepted at the Yeadon Fire Company, Green Ridge Fire Company and Newtown Square Fire Company at any time.
Nineteen Marple residents have a better idea about their police department after graduating from the recent Citizens Police Academy, reports Correspondent Leslie Krowchenko. The 10- week program, coordinated by Sgt.
Tony Colgan, offered an inside look at the operation of the force. Classes included topics such as the legal system, patrol procedures, criminal investigations, communications and community policing and a visit to the Delaware County Emergency Services Center in Middletown.
Diplomas were presented during a recent commissioners meeting to Mike Brodie, Linda Collins, Matt Collins, Cynthia Corey, Diane Downey, Bette Downs, Peter Economou, Carol Johnson, Jeremy Kilpatrick, John Lucas, Joanne Lynch, James McDonnell, John Morrone, Karl Niemeyer, Steve Redden, Mark Snyder, Matt Spellman, Jeanne Starer and Mike Talley.
Colgan gave a special shoutout to sponsor Lou Pace, owner of Lou Pace Auto Body. He graduated from the first academy last year and the business provided the necessary funds for the shirts worn by students and staff, supplies and other needs.
For information about future programs, visit www.marplepolice.com.
In Philadelphia recently, the mother of murder victim
Matthew Shepard was the keynote speaker at a hate crimes conference for law enforcement and community leaders, sponsored by the Anti- Defamation League, the Department of Justice and the National Constitution Center.
Shepard, 21, was murdered in October 1988 because he was gay.
“Bullying and hate is epidemic in the world today,”
Judy Shepard told the crowd. “You are not insular in this world. Your responsibility is to care for one another.”
The conference was an opportunity for lawmen and leaders to discuss ways for preventing and addressing hate crimes; to promote com-
munication; and to support a more cooperative understanding of what constitutes a hate crime.
U. S. Attorney Zane
David Memeger stated in a prepared release that such training is important because the Department of Justice prosecutes more than 100 criminal civil rights cases a year.
“This statistic alone makes clear that there are people in this country who truly do not believe that people should be treated equally and fairly regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. This is not acceptable, and we — as members of law enforcement and the community at large — need to make a vigilant effort to ensure that the rights of all are protected.”
Cop Shop appears Thursday. To contact Rose Quinn or Cindy Scharr, email rquinn@delcotimes.com or cscharr@delcotimes.com, or follow us on Twitter, @ rquinndelco or @ cindyscharr.