Longtime Levittown Fire Co. Volunteers Recognized

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA —A pair of dedicated volunteers from Levittown Fire Co. No. 1 have a combined 112 years of service.

And both were recently recognized for that accomplishment.

At the recent Falls Township Board of Supervisors meeting, the governing body and fire officials recognized Martin “Marty” Gallagher and Gertrude “Gertie” Delano.

Gallagher – who was being honored for 50 years of active service – corrected Fire Marshal Rich Dippolito at the meeting and said he’s actually been serving the fire company for 52 years.

A fire police captain, Gallagher has served as trustee, as well as other positions throughout the years.

Delano, who has served for 60 years, is a founding member of the auxiliary, a fundraising arm of the fire department.

“That’s a long time to spend in a volunteer organization,” Dippolito said of Gallagher’s time, joking that Delano has served for “110 years and is only 49.”

Levittown Fire Co. No. 1 President Don Krier said he holds both of the long-time volunteers in the highest regard.

“He can always be relied on,” Krier said of Gallagher. “Whenever something needs to be done, he’s the one to call.”

Delano, the auxiliary’s past president, got involved with the fire department when her late husband was volunteering, Krier said.

“She has a knack for arts and crafts,” Krier said, noting her handiwork with the fire company’s annual basket raffle. “She puts together all our baskets. She has a group of helpers. Every year, we have over 200 baskets.”