MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: Firefighter of the Year & Fire Prevention Week Proclamation
WHO: Mayor Jim Kenney
Fire Commissioner Adam K. Thiel
Firefighter Jason Marcinkiewicz
PFD Historical Corp. President Gene Janda
Junior Fire Patrol members from Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic School
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m.
WHERE: Fireman’s Hall Museum
147 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia
Firefighter of the Year: On his way into work earlier this year, off-duty Firefighter Jason Marcinkiewicz came upon a 3-story rowhouse in Port Richmond with fire showing on the second floor and smoke billowing from the third-floor windows — and two occupants threatening to jump. Marcinkiewicz made a life-saving decision by telling the occupants not to jump, knowing from the sound of nearing sirens that his own company — Ladder 16 — would soon arrive. Upon Ladder 16’s arrival, Marcinkiewicz grabbed a 28-foot extension ladder, raised it to the 3rd floor window, climbed up and removed an occupant from the smoky, hot third floor and placed her into the care of EMS providers.
Fire Prevention Week: Mayor Jim Kenney will issue a proclamation declaring October 7-13 as “Fire Prevention Week.” The annual observance coincides with the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which killed about 300 people and destroyed more than 17,000 buildings. Members of the Junior Fire Patrol will take the fire safety pledge.