Father and Daughter Continue Family Tradition as Firefighters

JENKINTOWN, Pa– Since Ray Santee was a child, his parents put a strong emphasis on helping their community. Ray is continuing the tradition his parents forged so many years ago with his own daughter, 15-year-old Lilly Santee, at the Jenkintown Fire Department.

“My dad has been volunteering at Jenkintown Fire Department my whole life, and growing up around the firehouse made me want to volunteer,” said Lilly.

As a junior firefighter, Lilly learns fire safety skills, performs tasks like running hose lines and setting up the ladders for the firefighters. Lilly can also attend fire calls, although she cannot fight interior fires, she is permitted to provide assistance to firefighters around the scene of an emergency call.

Lilly’s first emergency call was a vehicle accident that she attended with her father. Lilly described the scene as extremely hectic, but somewhat in line with Lilly’s career aspiration of becoming a surgeon.

With a teacher for a mother and a police officer for a father, Santee’s parents were doing their part to give back to the community, and it came as a surprise to Santee’s mother that her son didn’t immediately follow in their footsteps upon entering adulthood.

One night at a family dinner, Ray’s mother says to him, “I am kind of surprised that you never got into firefighting,” and the rest is history.

“I went up to the firehouse, filled out an application to join the fire company, and almost 21 years later, here we are,” said Ray.

Lilly and her father’s relationship has grown stronger since they began volunteering at Jenkintown Fire Department together. Ray loves being able to watch his daughter follow in his footsteps and to have the opportunity to bond over something that they share with one another.

“I like attending the training nights with her, seeing her interact with the kids and learn the things that I have also learned over the years,” said Ray. “Being able to teach her what I have learned over the years, and to see her enjoyment for it, it’s amazing.”

There is a strong sense of family permeating throughout the firehouse, and many of the children at the firehouse have grown up around one another. Five children the same age as Lilly, who grew up on the same street, all joined Jenkintown Fire Department when they turned 14. Many of them are close friends that have represented the fire company at community events alongside their parents.

“Our kids have been around the firehouse since birth and it feels good to see them following in our footsteps too,” said Santee.

When the Santee family is not at the firehouse, Lilly enjoys painting murals and going horseback riding once-a-week with her dad and seven-year-old sister.

Lilly and Ray both encourage other families to volunteer at Jenkintown Fire Department– the family-oriented environment is one that anyone will be welcomed into with open arms.

“We hang out at the firehouse together and outside the firehouse, and it is just a very welcoming, family-like environment,” said Ray.

For any Jenkintown residents who would like to “be the neighbor who saves a neighbor,” visit https://fightjenkintownfires.org/. The department – which includes Pioneer Fire Company and Independent Fire Company – welcomes individuals to join as firefighters, junior firefighters, fire police, and administrative members. All training and gear are provided at no cost.