Barclay Friends Home Fire Rememberance and Recognition
 
By Fire Chief Justin Gattorno
April 15, 2018
 

On the evening of November 16, 2017 a fire broke out at the Barclay Friends Home in West Chester, PA. That evening first responders from Chester county and multiple neighboring counties responded to assist with many different aspects of the emergency. Due to the valiant efforts by the initial first responders many lives were saved. However, in spite of those valiant efforts four residents perished in the fire. In the aftermath of the fire the borough of West Chester decided to host an event to remember the lives of the four residents who were lost and to recognize the many first responders that assisted that day. The event was held on Saturday April 14, 2018 on the campus of West Chester University. Many of the initial first responders from West Chester PD, West Chester Fire, West Goshen Fire, West Chester University, Medic 91 and Good Fellowship ambulance were recognized with a medal of Valor for their life saving efforts that evening. There were also responders from several agencies who were recognized with first responder citations for their efforts in assisting with the emergency that day. Members from the West Grove Fire Company receiving the first responder citation award were Kevin Sweeney, Lisa Glass, Danny O'Connell, Matthew Glass, Nate Hughes, Ryan Markland, Adam Zwislewski, Robert Burns, Tom Glass, Jeffrey Simpson and Robert Kloss. The leadership of the Fire Company is very proud of these responders and the work they did that day.