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Lower Merion honors volunteer firefighters, presents citations and life-saving awards
Summary
The Board recognized Bryn Mawr and Marion Fire Company members for decades of service, a 50-year career by Chief Daniel Kinkade, a unit citation for a June 23, 2025 apartment rescue, and a life-saving award for firefighter Doug Watkins.
The Lower Merion Board opened its Jan. 21 meeting with presentations recognizing volunteer and career firefighters for service and life-saving actions.
The Board read a proclamation honoring Chief Daniel (Dan) Kinkade of the Bryn Mawr Fire Company for retirement after a 50-year career and 16 years as chief. The proclamation states Chief Kinkade has served since 1975 and "responded to over 14,000 calls," commending his leadership and commitment. Kinkade thanked family and colleagues and acknowledged community events his company supports.
The Board also presented a unit citation to Marion Fire Company (Ardmore) members for an incident on June 23, 2025 at the Oakland House, a seven-story residential building in Wynnewood, where crews made entry, found a semi-conscious resident under debris and removed the person to EMS for transport. The citation singled out Chief Thomas Hayden, Deputy Chief Thomas W. Hayden, Christopher Garland, Thomas Knapp and Steve Zimorski for their roles in the rescue.
Firefighter Doug Watkins of the Bryn Mawr Fire Company received an award recognizing his performance of the Heimlich maneuver on Nov. 6 while on duty, which the citation said prevented a potential life-threatening outcome.
Board members praised the township's volunteer companies and highlighted a five-year spotlight showing roughly 16,000 hours of certification training among member companies. Multiple chiefs and companies were invited forward to list members and certifications for a group photo with commissioners.
