[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 31, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E29-E30]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING JOSEPH J. MANERCHIA UPON HIS RETIREMENT AS CHIEF OF THE MARCUS 
                          HOOK FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity to pay tribute to Chief Joseph J. Manerchia upon his 
retirement as Fire Chief of the Marcus Hook Fire Department after more 
than 30 years of distinguished and dedicated service to the Department.
  Joseph J. Manerchia joined the Marcus Hook Fire Company No. 1 at the 
age of 15 in

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1975. In the years that followed, he held every administrative and Fire 
Line office within the company. In 1995, he became company chief and is 
credited with initiating many positive changes in the operation of the 
company, especially in areas of firefighter/fire officer training, 
firefighter safety, development of fire officer qualifications and 
training programs for apparatus drivers. He also wrote the first 
Standard Operating Guideline Manual adopted by the fire company and 
developed a ``Fire Department/Police Department Interface Program'' to 
promote better cooperation between the two agencies. Chief Manerchia 
led his company to 4 consecutive Pennsylvania State Championships as 
the ``Best Appearing Marching Unit'' in the Pennsylvania State 
Firemen's Convention Parade.
  In 1999, Joe rose to the rank of Borough Fire Chief, a position he 
would hold through 2005 which made him the longest serving Borough Fire 
Chief in the history of the department. At that time, the Marcus Hook 
Fire Department was comprised of the Marcus Hook Fire Company No. 1 and 
the Viscose Fire Company No. 2. As Borough Fire Chief he provided the 
leadership that would eventually consolidate the two local fire 
companies into one organization. In the year 2000, he was instrumental 
in developing a plan that led to the replacement of the fire 
department's aging aerial ladder truck with a new 75 Foot Quint. Again 
under his chairmanship, the State spotlight was cast on Marcus Hook as 
the Fire Department hosted the Pennsylvania State Firemen's Convention 
in September 2003, a first for the fire department and the borough.

  The Chief has attended local, State and nationally accredited fire, 
hazardous materials and command training classes. He is the graduate of 
several National Fire Academy on campus programs as well as programs at 
the University of Texas A&M and the University of Nevada at Reno. Joe 
holds Pro-Board Certification as a Fire Instructor and as an Industrial 
Firefighter and is a Pennsylvania certified Emergency Medical 
Technician and Vehicle Rescue Technician. He is a member of the 
International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of 
Fire Service Instructors and is on the board of directors of the local 
chapter of the American Red Cross.
  Currently Chief Manerchia is working on a degree in Emergency 
Management and accreditation as a ``Chief Fire Officer Designate'' 
through the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He continues to 
lecture locally and regionally on fire company consolidations and 
chairs a committee charged with consolidating three fire companies in 
two municipalities. Joe is still active with the Marcus Hook Fire 
Department and is a member of the Emergency Management Committee of the 
Borough of Marcus Hook.
  On January 21, 2006, Chief Joseph M. Manerchia was recognized for his 
7 years as Borough Fire Chief as well as his 30 years of service to the 
community and the Fire Department at a banquet held in his honor hosted 
by the Marcus Hook Fire Department and the Borough of Marcus Hook. 
During his 30 years of service, he certainly has earned this 
recognition, and I call upon all of my colleagues to join me in 
applauding his leadership in both his Department and community. While 
his service will not soon be forgotten and his boots will not soon be 
filled, the high standards he has set for his department will 
strengthen fire service for many years to come.

                          ____________________