Upper Darby mayor swears in new firefighters, praises recruitment and staffing

The mayor of Upper Darby administered the oath and formally welcomed new members to the Upper Darby Township Fire Department, saying the ceremony is one of the joys of holding the office.

"I get to swear in new heroes, whether it's police or firefighters," the mayor said, noting this was roughly his "10th or 11th firefighter" hired since he took office and urging pride in the work and brotherhood of the department.

Assistant Chief Rob Callahan opened the event and introduced the recruits by name, thanking on- and off-duty members and families for their support. He also credited the mayor for staffing that, he said, allows the department to place personnel "at strategically located positions where we can quickly and effectively respond to emergencies."

Callahan highlighted a recent rescue as evidence of that preparedness: "The victim was quickly located and removed under difficult conditions and is surviving now," he said, and added that staffing made the difference in that outcome.

During the oath, recruits pledged to "well and truly perform the duties of a firefighter" and to "obey and enforce the laws of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" and the township's Home Rule Charter and ordinances, including commitments to act without discrimination.

The mayor closed the ceremony by saying, "You are now firefighters," and offered congratulations to the recruits and their families. Crandall Jones, identified in the remarks as the township's CAO, was noted as present for the ceremony.