The Berwyn Fire Company attended two services for fallen firefighers in the line-of-duty this past weekend in Philadelphia and in West Chester.

Two firefighters were killed and two injured in a building collapse while battling a five-alarm fire at a factory, located at 1817 East York Street in the Kensington section of Philadelphia on Monday, April 9th. The fallen firefighters, identified as Lt. Robert Neary, 60, and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, 25, were from Ladder 10, on Kensington and Castor Avenue.

Lt. Neary spent 38 years with the Philadelphia Fire Department. Prior to becoming a firefighter, he served for three years as a Philadelphia police officer and 10 years as an Army reservist. Lt. Neary was a husband and father of three. Firefighter Sweeney became a firefighter in 2006, following in the footsteps of his father, retired Captain David Sweeney.

Berwyn Fire Company Tower 2 formed a memorial arch with Cheltenham Hook & Ladder Company #1 Tower 4 along the funeral procession for Firefighter Sweeney.

Berwyn personnel also attended the In-The-Line-Of-Duty-Death Firefighter Plaque Dedication for the five Malvern firefighters killed on March 24, 1931. Killed that day were William Garrett, 20; Clifford Kilpatrick, 19; Clarence Gregg, 25; Clarence Matlack, 18; and Charles Henry Munch. About 1½ miles west of Malvern, the fire truck they were riding in, in response to a large field/brush fire, failed to negotiate a sharp curve and overturned, killing the five firefighters instantly and injuring 11 others.

District Judge John Bailey initiated the Chester County Hero Plaque Program several years ago while a Det. Sgt. with the Tredyffrin Police Department. It began by recognizing law enforcement officers killed in-the-line-of-duty and was done in partnership with the Chester County Hero Fund, the Chester County FOP, and the Chester County Commissioners.

The original program began in Philadelphia and continues to this day throughout the SE Region with the help of Jimmy Binns, its founder and long time supporter of police and firefighters.

Please keep these men and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.