Firefighter has deep roots in fire service

Joe Lennon grew up as a “firehouse rat” at Glenside Volunteer Fire Company in Montgomery County. Joe followed his father, Ralph Lennon, around the firehouse along with all the other sons of the local volunteer firefighters.

“I remember a group photo taken when I was just a kid,” Lennon said. “If I remember correctly, there were something like 10 father/son pairs in the picture.”

Fire service is still a family affair, Lennon says.

“My daughter Rachel was Pennsylvania Junior Fighter of the Year when she was 17,” Lennon said. “She is 22 now and in nursing school.”

“I started out in 1982 as a junior firefighter and I spent 20 years at Glenside Volunteer Fire Company, seven years at Milford Township Volunteer Fire Company and 12 years with Quakertown, West End Volunteer Fire Company.

Lennon teaches Tech Ed at Cheltenham High School in Montgomery County, but spends his summers and weekends in Lake Harmony, where his mother and father reside. Lennon and his daughter both continue to volunteer with Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company.

Lake Harmony built a new firehouse from 2010 through 2011. Lennon also volunteered his carpentry skills for finishing off much of the interior of the building.

One of Lennon’s most memorable fires took place at the Grundy House Senior Housing in Quakertown.

“I remember it was a pretty bad fire and I came across a resident who had passed out on the floor,” Lennon said. “I dragged her out until someone else was able to help me get her out of the building. We were able to revive her. Too often we don’t get that opportunity. Too often it doesn’t have that positive ending.”

Lennon is a strong believer in the importance of volunteerism.

“Residents don’t understand how much money volunteer firefighters save towns,” said Lennon. “Without volunteers there wouldn’t be a fire service.”

“I have to thank my wife,” Lennon said. “Thankfully she knew what she was getting into when she married me. I can’t remember how many times I got up from dinner and left her to pay the bill while I ran off on a call.”

The Neighborhood Spotlight is our monthly series highlighting our volunteer firefighters. If you know someone who should be included, email mgouger@tnonline.com