Broomall Fire Co. shows off $7M new firehouse
MARPLE >> It’s a common sight for state representatives to visit volunteer fire companies for company functions like an anniversary, housing or building dedication.
Not so common, however, is for a state representative to experience first-hand an emergency requiring the services of first responders. But it actually happened to Bill Adolph in 1972. Adolph, then just 23, had “just returned from a long day at work. I wanted to unwind with my wife and young child. I just so happened to glance at our apartment door and saw smoke seeping under the door. I carefully opened the door and saw the hallway filled with smoke. I quickly alerted my wife and child. Fortunately, we were on the second floor so we escaped off of the balcony. Once we got down safely, we were able to rescue some senior citizens from their porch. The Ridley Township fire force arrived, quickly went into action, and saved many lives,” recalled Adolph, now a retired Pennsylvania state representative from the 165th District, and one of the honored guests at this past Saturday afternoon’s company building dedication ceremony at the new Broomall Fire Co. station on West Chester Pike.
Adolph was one of the individuals credited with making Broomall’s new $7 million station a reality.
“I helped convince the leadership in Harrisburg how public safety is so important, told them what the Broomall Fire Co. had in mind and we succeeded in obtaining a grant,” Adolph explained. “The Marple Township Commissioners had the foresight and the guts to match the grant.”
Another honored guest was Joseph Rufo, president of Marple Township Commisioners. He feels everything is “opening up” with emergency services in Marple Township.
“Several years ago, we opened up the new Marple Township Police Department building,” Ruffo said. “Today, we’re opening the new Broomall Fire Company station. Hopefully, next year, Marple Township Ambulance Corps will have a new home at Broomall FC’s former firehouse. I have nothing but praise for the men and women of the Broomall Fire Co. It’s because of your tireless efforts that we are here today celebrating your new building.”
“‘Golf’ is the word I use to describe how we got here today,” said James Capuzzi, president of Broomall FC. “For 20years, we ran into obstacles before making this building real. You are playing a round of golf. You swing at the ball and it flies straight down the fairway. All of a sudden the ball lands in a sand trap or off to the side. This was a large undertaking for all our company members. We got it done. I consider this a hole in one.”
Usually at some sort of grand opening event, a ribbon is cut to signal the opening of a new store. This building dedication was different. Members of the company, dressed in company dress uniform, stood in front of the fire station’s garage bay doors, each side holding a hose that connected with the other. When it was time, the company officers uncoupled the hose to signal the official opening of the new station. With that came the opening of the garage bay doors, and the people present for the ceremony were ushered inside for a tour of the building.