East Franklin Township Fire Chief Steps Down
East Franklin Township Fire Chief Mark Feeney voluntarily resigned the top spot effective by letter yesterday for personal reasons. Feeney has volunteered in community fire departments for 37 years. (KP file photo from April 2015)
By Jonathan Weaver
East Franklin Township Fire Chief Mark Feeney relinquished the top post effective yesterday.
Feeney, 51 of Applewold, began as a junior fire fighter in the small municipality when he was 14 years old. After graduating high school, he joined East Franklin’s fire department due to the active rescue service.
“I love the job – there just comes a time when I guess you need to balance your life with other things,” Feeney said. “If there’s a working fire or something I can do, I will do – but, at this point (for) some personal reasons, I think it’s time to let some other people take the reins.
“I’m ready to do what Mark wants to do, and enjoy life.”
Feeney, who still belongs to both departments and has spearheaded efforts to combine the two volunteer fire departments the past few years, has also worked throughout the past 37 years at Kittanning #6 Ambulance and is still a certified emergency medical technician.
He pledged to remain a volunteer firefighter because of the “close-knit extended family” when needed. East Franklin volunteer fire department celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2012.
“Trust me, if it’s a wreck with entrapment or a house fire, I’ll be there to save your life – I’ll do everything I can. I’m not walking away totally - I just don’t want to be in command anymore, Feeney said.
“Once it’s in your blood, if you got cut, you would bleed emergency service.”
Fire Police Captain Ed Walters – who has been with East Franklin Township for about 50 years and was one of the first county Hose Company #6 paramedics – remembered when Feeney first joined the department
“(With) his knowledge, he’s about the best in the service,” Walters said. “You wouldn’t want a better guy to be on the scene (and) you couldn’t ask for a better friend.”
First Assistant Chief Bill Croyle will act as interim fire chief until the department members make a decision at the next regular meeting.
“The resignation of Mark comes as a surprise. I stand behind his decision and would like to thank him for his tireless dedication and selfless contribution that has bettered the East Franklin fire department and community,” Croyle said. “I wish him the best of luck in his decision.”
Feeney’s last fire in command was a double-wide trailer fire late-Monday evening in Cowansville.
In April, Feeney told township supervisors of plans for the fire department to purchase a new 1,250-gallon pumper truck and refurbish the current model.
Feeney, who is also Applewold Borough Council President, is expected to resign from the council today as well.
Local News | jweaver June 25, 2015
