January 25, 2023 will always be a special day for one young volunteer of the West Grove Fire Company. Today Zachary Felker was officially sworn in as a City of Chester firefighter. For many in the volunteer ranks, it is a lifetime dream to become a career firefighter. For Zach, a reality yet to sink in.
Since September, Zach has been through a myriad of training including EMT, firefighting skills, hazardous materials, and and much more to prepare him and the other nine cadets to be career firefighters serving the residents, businesses and visitors to the City of Chester, PA, the oldest city in Pennsylvania, with a population of 32,600+ people. They will now be assigned to a company and platoon and begin their journey as a career firefighter.
Zach Felker joined the West Grove Fire Company as a volunteer in February of 2019, and continues to serve out of the New London Station. If his name is familiar, Zach comes from a family of firefighters — his father serves as Fire Chief of the WGFC.
From the officers and members of the West Grove Fire Company, Congratulations Zach and best of luck in your new career serving the City of Chester! Be Safe!
City of Chester new Firefighters being sworn in by the Deputy Chief.
Firefighter Zach Felker addressing Chester City Council and family and friends after being sworn in as Firefighter!
Left to right: Chester Battalion Chief Krapf, Firefighter Felker, and Chester Battalion Chief McBreen.
Firefighter Zach Felker during fire school training. The Chester City candidates trained alongside those from the City of Wilmington in combined practical evolutions.
Newly sworn in firefighter Zach Felker with Chester City Fire Commissioner Rigby.
At burn day training.
Firefighter Felker with WGFC Deputy Chief Joshua Hawk, who also is a fire instructor here at the Delaware State Fire School.
Newly sworn in firefighter Zach Felker with Chester City Fire Department Officers.
Zach poses with his proud parents and sisters at the swearing in ceremony.
Firefighter Candidate Zach Felker is sworn in as a career firefighter with the City of Chester. Zach is a volunteer at the WGFC.
WGFC officers and members were on hand to witness the swearing in ceremony, including (L to R), Captain Kevin Sweeney, Chief Eric Felker, Firefighter Zach Felker, Firefighters Jack Wharry and Will Ginn, and Deputy Chief Josh Hawk and his young firefighter-to-be son.
