3 Broomall Firefighters Graduate Academy, 1 Earns Top Grade Award

BROOMALL, PA — Three firefighters with the Broomall Fire Company recently graduated from the Montgomery County Fire Academy

Firefighters Owen Schwerdtfeger, Ezra Gilford, Eric Brown Jr. completed the Pennsylvania Entry Level Firefighter Training program with a virtual graduation ceremony on Wednesday evening.

Brown also received an award for the highest grade in Interior Firefighter.

These three are among 45 other volunteer firefighters who graduated in the class of 2021.

"Their perseverance in working towards and achieving national Fire Fighter I certification during the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to the dedication and resolve of these local emergency services professionals," the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety said in the graduation announcement.

Thomas J. Garrity, Director of the Montgomery County Fire Academy, offered welcoming
remarks and Derrick J.V. Sawyer, Chief of the Upper Darby Township Fire Department and former
Fire Commissioner for the City of Philadelphia, was the virtual Commencement Speaker.