On Thursday November 20, 2014 members of the Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company attended the Chester County Fall Firefighter 1 Graduation Ceremony held at Wagontown Fire Company. The Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company had one member graduate in this class.

Joe Derry, who is one of Thorndale's newest members graduated the 10 week, 172 hour “recruit” level basic firefighting course. The goal of the course is to provide a person with little or no previous fire service training or experience with the basic knowledge and skills required to function safely and effectively as a member of a fire suppression team functioning in today’s environment. Students also received training in Haz-Mat Operations, CPR/AED, and Structural Burn. The candidates take Module exams throughout the class and then the final test for the class was a written 150 question exam to become certified at the National Firefighter I level.

A very special congratulations to Joe for also Co-winning the Cadet of The Class award with Hans Thomas! Joe is the third person in recent company history to win this award with Eric Stewart taking home this recognition over the summer in the Junior FF class held by Chester County. Joe managed to complete this course all while working a full time job and managing a home life with his girlfriend Jenna Foss, who is expecting their first child soon! Congratulations to both of you!

The fire service can be very daunting as the newcomer. There is a lot to learn just to get you started and the learning never ends. "Education is not the filling of the pail, but the lighting of the fire". Joe has demonstrated thus far that he is capable of becoming a fine member of the fire service community and we are excited to welcome him into our family as our newest first responder.

Volunteer fire companies are always in need of good people like Joe. If you have the desire to help those around you and make a direct, positive impact on someone's life, then please stop down anytime and fill out an application and become one of us. We need you to help us, help them.

"When a man becomes a fireman his greatest act of bravery has been accomplished. What he does after that is all in the line of work. " Chief Edward F. Croker, FDNY, 1908