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Chester County honors firefighters for November 2024 house-fire rescue; officials mark Fire Prevention Week and warn about lithium-ion batteries
Summary
The county presented unit citations and the William Popp award to multiple firefighters involved in a Nov. 9, 2024 rescue of a nonverbal 15‑year‑old from a Pensbury Township house fire, and the chief fire marshal used the Fire Prevention Week proclamation to warn about lithium‑ion battery safety and disposal.
The Chester County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 8 presented unit citations and the William Popp winners award to fire and EMS personnel involved in a Nov. 9, 2024 residential rescue in Pennsbury Township, and issued a Fire Prevention Week proclamation that highlighted local fire statistics and battery-safety guidance.
Deputy Director Justin McClure summarized the incident, saying 911 calls on the night of Nov. 9, 2024, reported a house fire in which residents discovered their 15‑year‑old son, who was nonverbal and had autism, remained inside. McClure described how members of Kennett Fire Company Engine 24 entered deteriorating conditions; firefighter Jason Nichols located the child on the second‑floor bed, and colleagues advanced hose lines and aided the rescue amid rapidly worsening smoke and fire conditions. McClure said responding crews included members from Longwood, Kennett and other nearby companies and that firefighters Michael Siska and Patrick Looney sprinted nearly half a mile to transport water from a hydrant because the nearest hydrant was about 3,000 feet away.
The board awarded unit citations to members of Engine 24, Engine 252, and Ladder 25 and presented the William Popp winners award to firefighters Jason Nichols, Fernando Tapia, Michael Siska, Patrick Looney, Lieutenant Dylan Blackburn, Captain Merton LaBeir and Captain Brian Bridal.
Commissioner Marion Moskowitz read a Fire Prevention Week proclamation noting county figures for 2024: six fire-related civilian deaths, 58 fire-related civilian injuries and more than $50 million in fire-related property damage. Chester County Chief Fire Marshal John Weir emphasized lithium‑ion battery hazards, saying charging and disposal practices are frequent causes of severe fires and advising residents to charge devices on hard surfaces and to use manufacturer-recommended batteries.
"When charging any devices, we highly recommend not to place your device on a bed, on a pillow, on a couch, charge it on a hard surface, allow the air to keep that battery heat down," Weir said.
Weir also urged residents to use designated disposal options such as some retailer take‑back programs and the Chester County Solid Waste Authority for battery collection events, and he encouraged people to make house numbers visible and to know their 911 address.
No board action was required for the awards and proclamations beyond the ceremonial presentations.
