Chester welcomes five new firefighters
CHESTER » A limited number of guests returned to city council chambers for a recent meeting as new members joined the fire department ranks. Five recent graduates of Philadelphia Fire Academy, Class 197, were sworn in to the position of firefighter for the Chester Bureau of Fire during the meeting, each allowed two family members in attendance for the ceremony.
Mohommed J. Anding, Jamiel L. Church, Emanuel G. Delva, Andre D. Grant and Ronald E. Thompson entered the academy in September 2019, graduating Monday, July 13, after completing the 10-month training program. Delva received the Fellowship Award and placed second for the Physical Fitness Award at the academy.
They will now enter a twoweek bureau orientation under Battalion Chief JohnPaul Shirley, training officer for the department.
“I am extremely proud of all five of these men, who are also Chester natives,” city Fire Commissioner William Rigby IV said prior to the ceremony. “These cadets earned nationally recognized certifications in Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2 and Hazardous Materials Operations, as well as being certified as Emergency Medical Technicians.”
“You all are embarking upon one of the greatest opportunities and jobs that the city has to offer,” said Councilman William “Al” Jacobs, city Director of Public Safety, said to the cadets. “There is great leadership within the fire department, and I hope every single one of you takes full advantage of what’s here because there are opportunities to build a career or even become fire commissioner, if you set your sights on it.”