Marple Friends & Neighbors is proud to feature families, groups and individuals who make a difference in our community. This month, we want to bring recognition to our fire company members and thank them for a century of selfless service and bravery. For the past 100 years, the all volunteer Broomall Fire Company (BFC) has been answering emergency calls and keeping the Marple community safe and protected. Many of these volunteers are our neighbors, friends, coworkers or relatives and we are excited to honor them as our 2023 Marple Friends & Neighbors of the Year!
With a primary response area from Marple to part of Radnor township, as well as a large stretch of the Blue route, the BFC covers 11 square miles and responds to more than 700 calls per year for fires, vehicle accidents and medical emergencies.
Fighting fires and responding to other emergencies is only part of the role of our local firefighters. Not only do they spend countless hours away from their families to train and raise money for their department, but they also visit our schools to teach students about fire safety, and help recruit the next generation of volunteers.
The BFC was officially formed on January 8, 1923, when a group of 26 men met to approve a constitution and by-laws. The purpose was to form an all-volunteer fire company to serve Marple Township, which back then was a community made up of farmers and tradesmen. Today, under the leadership of Fire Chief Tom Dobbins and President Jim Capuzzi, the BFC has about 45 active firefighters and dozens of active life members. For these men and women, joining the company was not only to do something good for the community and help people in need, but for many it’s a family tradition.
Chief Dobbins said joining the BFC was inevitable. “I grew up right down the street from the firehouse and my family had a long history of serving in public safety,” he explained. Tom was a 16-year-old student at Marple Newtown High School when he joined the BFC back in 2000. “Becoming a member of the BFC when I was young had a lot of benefits,” explained Tom. “I was able to receive an extensive amount of training and it was a real stepping stone for my career.”
After high school, Tom earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice/Sociology from Chestnut Hill College and then a Master’s of Science in Public Safety Management from St. Joseph’s University. For the past five years, he served as Chief and is responsible for directing all volunteer firefighters, ensuring they have adequate training. He also ensures that firefighting equipment is monitored on a regular basis and is in good working order.
While Chief Dobbins handles the day-to-day operations, President Jim Capuzzi oversees the administration, making sure the company’s mission is accomplished and the vision is fulfilled. Jim joined the BFC in 1987 after moving to Marple Township. Becoming a firefighter was also a family affair for Jim. One of six brothers, Jim grew up in Yeadon and served 15 years with the Yeadon Fire Company, along with all of his brothers. “I was hooked at an early age,” he recalled.
Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Drexel University and a Master’s of Science in Environmental Protection and Safety Management from St. Joseph’s University. He also holds an MBA from LaSalle University. Since moving to Broomall and joining the Broomall Fire Company in 1987, Jim has held several roles in the fire company including Captain and Vice President before serving as the company’s president. What Jim found most rewarding in his career with the fire department is the camaraderie. “We really are a brotherhood,” he said.
That sense of camaraderie and brotherhood is another reason why many BFC members join in the first place. “Not only are you giving back to your community, you find a group of people who really look out for each other,” said Jan Ceton, a lifetime BFC member. Jan joined the company back in 1973. His family was very involved in the Marple Newtown Fourth of July Parade and the BFC was celebrating their 50th anniversary that year. To thank the Cetons for their help in building the anniversary float, the family was invited to the firehouse. “As soon as I visited the firehouse I was hooked,” he added. “I put in my application the next day.”
Ben Fastman, the BFC’s Public Education coordinator, is one of their newest members. A 2018 graduate of Marple Newtown High School, Ben joined the company in 2021. Ben said he was always interested in Public Safety, even doing his high school senior project with the Upper Darby Police Department. Later as a student at West Chester University, he joined the local EMS, but after moving back to Broomall he wanted to give back to his own community. “What is really rewarding about the BFC is the networking,” said Ben. “Not only is it a good career, but I’ve made a lot of new friendships and formed great relationships with the other members.”
BFC volunteers undergo hundreds of hours of training annually. Although there is no specific time requirement or “on-call” system, they’re expected to respond to as many calls and training drills as they are able. Like most volunteer fire departments, getting new volunteers to join is always a focus. “Today there are more challenges to recruitment and retention,” said Chief Dobbins. “Between family demands and full-time work, it can be a lot to balance.”
When it comes to emergency calls and large incidents, oftentimes the BFC relies on other departments to join them and vice versa. “We have a great relationship with our surrounding volunteer departments,” he added. “We will provide backup to our neighboring departments at a fire or other emergency. We work together.”
Just as the BFC membership has undergone significant changes these last 100 years, so has the firehouse itself. The very first Broomall firehouse was built in 1924. Located on West Chester Pike near Sproul Rd, the members themselves donated their own skills to erect the two-story building. By the 1950s the fire department was seeing tremendous growth and a bigger facility was needed to house more apparatus and equipment. In 1957 they were able to upgrade to a bigger firehouse on Malin Rd and West Chester Pike. Then in 2019, thanks to a grant as well as a large contribution from the township, a new 22,000-sf firehouse was erected.
The current firehouse was designed to resemble and preserve the essence of the old station. Inside is even a museum that includes a 1948 Mack fire truck, an old locker with vintage gear and lots of memorabilia. Chief Dobbins said the new firehouse will support the Marple community for years to come. “It’s light years ahead of the previous one,” he said. “It’s truly a state-of-the-art facility.”
With a fitness center, a multipurpose room and bunk rooms, a full kitchen area w/coffee bar, a patio w/BBQ, laundry facilities, free Wifi and a conference center, the firehouse encourages camaraderie at the station. “Being there and hanging out with the other members is important,” Chief Dobbins added. “It really is a real family feel.”
When the BFC members aren’t at the firehouse or out on calls, they’re visible in our community. Not only do they host events such as food drives and vaccine clinics, but local children can look forward to a visit with Santa each holiday season.
Maintaining an all-volunteer fire company would not be possible without the support of the township as well as the Marple residents. Fundraising is crucial for the BFC as fire stations need supplies, staff, and everything else other for-profit businesses need to survive. Jan is the head of the annual fund drive committee, a role he’s been proud to do for the past 15 years. “The fund drive is so important because it helps us defray the costs of lifesaving equipment, firehouse expenses and apparatus maintenance,” he explained. The carnival held every fall and spring is a significant fundraiser for the volunteer department and the BFC’s largest community event. “It’s a great way to have a good time, while supporting the fire company and our community,” added Jim Capuzzi.
Thank you to the BFC volunteers who help keep our homes, businesses and community safe and for being an example of our mission of Bringing People Together. Congratulations on 100 years of volunteer service to the Marple Community!
Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.
