Feeney Returns as East Franklin Fire Chief
Longtime Emergency Volunteer Mark Feeney, of Applewold, was sworn back in as fire chief last week. Feeney resigned the position in June due to personal reasons, but was urged by fellow volunteers to reconsider. (KP File Photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
A recognized public volunteer is once again protecting East Franklin Township.
Last week, East Franklin Township Supervisor Chair Barry Peters swore in Mark Feeney once again as the township fire chief.
Feeney, of Applewold, resigned in June due to personal reasons after more than 35 years of service.
“That was right after my mother passed away and I just wanted to regroup, get some things together,” Feeney said. “My whole opinion was, if I’m going to sit back and take some time off, I wanted someone else to be in charge so I wasn’t being a burden to them.”
However, during the past six months, Feeney – who will turn 52 on Christmas Eve - became more-and more involved once again on emergency calls.
“I miss it – after being at it for that many years, I guess that is what I’m supposed to be, Feeney said.
“I’ve been there so many years and so many people respect you that when I resigned being chief it was like living your own funeral. You never know that you mean that much to other departments.
“It’s all in the name of safety, so I’m going to take the wheel of the ship and see where we go.”
Interim Fire Chief Bill Croyle will resume his service as First Assistant and also will be President.
One of Feeney’s goals is to complete the consolidation between East Franklin and Applewold fire departments.
“We’re like sister stations anyway – everything’s running smooth as ‘sister’ stations that there was no big push to get it in, but we’re going to get it done this time,” Feeney said. “This is the final chapter.”
Feeney hopes for the consolidation process to be completed in six months – about the same time the department’s new fire pumper truck rolls into town.
Feeney said he was nominated for the position in November. Mark’s brother, Jim, will continue as Applewold fire chief.
Local News | jweaver December 21, 2015
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