Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
John DeMarco wears two chief hats
By day, he fights crime. By night, he fights fire.
Both of John DeMarco’s jobs – chief of police of Upper Uwchlan Township and chief of the East Whiteland Volunteer Fire Association – are big responsibilities, but DeMarco says as long as he has the right people, it makes his jobs a lot easier.
“I’m truly fortunate to have professional personnel — whether they be in the police force or the fire company — who truly want to be in public safety. They really care about their community,” said DeMarco, who was recently elected chief of the East Whiteland Fire Association.
It didn’t take long after his election until DeMarco experienced an example of the professionalism of the East Whiteland fire staff. One evening, the fire company and the medic from the neighboring Malvern Fire Co. were summoned to an office in a corporate building for a cardiac arrest. Through their collective efforts, the patient was successfully resuscitated – an event that last month brought about a citation from the East Whiteland Township Board of Supervisors, township manager and township police officials. “It was just one example,” said DeMarco, “of the ongoing dedication and professionalism of our career staff and volunteers, and the support we get from neighboring communities.”
For DeMarco, pride goes beyond the firehouse.”I come from a family of military veterans,” he said. “My father was a decorated veteran of the Korean War. My cousin served in the Vietnam War. My uncle served in World War II. And my grandfather participated in the D-Day invasion. I applaud the men and women who serve in the armed forces as well as the men and women who serve our community. Whether they are on the front lines fighting a war, or at home, fighting fires, saving lives and keeping our community safe from crime, all these people risk their lives for people they don’t know.”
Born and raised in South Philadelphia, DeMarco at the age of 16 moved with his family to Delaware County. There he began his volunteer firefighting service with Manoa Fire Co. No. 1 and Highland Park Fire Co.
No. 1. In 1989, he moved to East Whiteland Township and joined East Whiteland Fire Association, first as a firefighter and later moving up to lieutenant, captain, vice president and presently chief.
East Whiteland Volunteer Fire Association and its ambulance division serve an area of 11 square miles and a population of 12,000;
they respond to more than 2,000 fire and ambulance calls annually with a combination of career and volunteer members. “The township is still growing,” said DeMarco, “and we’re going to get even busier. You have the Atwater Housing Development, Great Valley Corporate expansion and town home developments on Route 30 and 352.”