On Wednesday December 19th, the members, family and friends of the Thorndale Fire Company gathered to enjoy a nice dinner and pay tribute to each other and recognize a few individuals for their service in 2018 and previous years.

There are many events throughout the year that keep the volunteers and their families busy. On top of the normal day jobs of the crew and responding to emergency calls, there are events like the Strawberry Festival that takes weeks of planning and we rely on as many family members and friends that we can get to make it all come together over those several days. While the festival is the largest event we do, there are many events ongoing, like charity 5k’s, CASH graduation, Prom, parties, and the general administration that keeps the fire company going. None of these would get accomplished without the tireless dedication from all the volunteers, not just the emergency responders. This year we would like to recognize a few members and friends for their contribution and sacrifice to make the Thorndale Fire Company a better place.

The Thorndale Fire Company was able to secure a grant with the help of former State Senator John Rafferty. This grant allowed the fire company to purchase a new engine room floor, a new floor cleaning machine, replace a large portion of the parking lot and transition all exterior and interior lighting on the property to energy saving LED’s. Special thanks to Mr. Rafferty for his service to the Commonwealth of PA and the Thorndale Fire Company, and to the grant administrators Mick Arnold and Fire Police Capt. Ron Miller as well as the fire company executive board that oversaw the completion of the capital improvements.

Fire Police Officer Allan Cunningham was recognized for his dedication to the fire company and received an award for the most responses of all active emergency responders.

Fire Police Officers Allan Cunningham and Jim Mostyn were presented a service ribbon and Certificate of Recognition from the Borough of West Chester for “Exemplary commitment and dedication to the community” for their assistance at the Barclay Friends fire on Nov. 16, 2017.

Fire Police Officer Debbie Aberts was presented with a plaque from company President John Carbo to recognize her service to the fire company as Treasurer for the past 12 years. Thank you Debbie!

Fire Police Capt. Ron Miller received a plaque and was recognized for his service. Capt. Miller is instrumental in helping with or organizing all the events listed above as well as being President of the Chester County Fire Police Assoc., Co-Chair of the Chester County Incident Mgmt. Task Force, an active member of the Chester County Recruitment and Retention Committee and an active member of the Brandywine Health Foundation Strawberry Festival Planning Committee. Capt. Miller also sits on the Thorndale Fire Company Board of Fire Directors.

Deputy Chief Dan Donnachie was presented with a job shirt embroidered with “Chief”. This is a modern tradition that the outgoing Fire Chief presents to the incoming Fire Chief. We wish the incoming chief the best and pledge all our support!

Fire Chief John Cordisco was presented with a check to the fire company for $1,200 from Township Commissioner Josh Young. This check was regarding a 5k Glow Run hosted by Caln Township and organized with the help of Angela Cordisco to raise funds for the fire company. Thank you, Caln Township, for your continued support!

Outgoing Fire Chief Cordisco was personally recognized for his service as Fire Chief by the Caln Township Police Dept and by incoming Fire Chief Donnachie. Police Chief Joseph Elias presented Fire Chief Cordisco with a Letter of Commendation for his service to the community and for building the great relationship between the fire and police departments. Incoming Fire Chief Dan Donnachie presented Chief Cordisco with an authentic fire bugle with plaque inscribed with, “For your dedicated services to the residents of Caln Township and the Thorndale Fire Company as Fire Chief from 2013 through 2018”. Thank you Chief Cordisco for all that you have done over the past six years. The impact you’ve made around the fire house will long be felt by all the members.