Chester County Fire Chiefs Association

06/19/2026

We are saddened to report the passing of Past Chief Robert G. Dobson of the Kimberton Fire Company and a longtime member of the Chester County Fire Chiefs Association.

Chief Dobson dedicated his life to serving the Kimberton community and provided steadfast leadership as Fire Chief from 1973 through 1992. In addition to his contributions to the fire service, Chief Dobson was instrumental in the success of the community-favorite Kimberton Fair for many years, helping to create a tradition enjoyed by generations of Chester County residents.

Chief Dobson's legacy of service, leadership, and dedication will long be remembered. Please join us in keeping his family, friends, and the members of the Kimberton Fire Company in your thoughts during this difficult time.

Kimberton Fire Co mourns the passing of past Chief Robert G. Dobson

Our Fire Department family is saddened by the loss of past Chief Robert G. Dobson.

He served his community as a firefighter and went on to hold numerous leadership roles, including membership secretary, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief and ultimately Fire Chief - as position he proudly held for 20 years. He was a proud member of the Chester County Fire Chiefs Association and served on the volunteer committee of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

Bob was a cherished pillar of the community, always ready to help anyone in need or make you laugh with a perfectly timed quip. He loved to take his granddaughters to Disney World and embarked on over twenty Disney cruises and was a Disney Vacation Club member since 1995. His work with SCM and National Foam made him a world traveler, taking him to almost every state and across the globe.

A celebration of Bob's Life will be held at the Kimberton Fire Station in the Covered Bridge Room at 2276 Kimberton Road, Phoenixville, PA on Sunday July 12th, 2026 at 1 PM. The family invites all that knew him to attend and share their favorite memories. Please wear something red (his favorite color) and absolutely no black.

And as Bob would always say, "Stay out of Trouble"

https://www.kimbertonfire.org/news/566/Kimberton-Fire-Co-mourns-the-passing-of-past-Chief-Robert-G-Dobson

06/09/2026

Another milestone!

Last evening, members of the Minquas Fire Company No. 2 paused during their monthly business meeting to recognize a true icon of the Downingtown community for his unwavering dedication and service.

This month marks 50 years of volunteer service for Past Chief Michael Miller, who joined the Minquas Fire Company in June 1976, proudly following in the footsteps of his ancestors. Over the past five decades, Chief Miller has served in nearly every operational rank within the Downingtown Fire Department, including two terms as Fire Chief of Downingtown Borough, PA - Municipal Government.

During the meeting, Minquas Fire Company President and Past Battalion Chief Joel Swisher recognized Chief Miller's lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others as family, friends, and fellow firefighters gathered to celebrate the occasion.

The Miller family has a longstanding tradition of service to both the Minquas Fire Company and the Downingtown Fire Department. That legacy includes Chief Miller's brother, Stephen P. Miller, who also served as Borough Fire Chief, and his nephew, Stephen L. Miller, who previously served as a Minquas Station Chief.

Joining in the recognition were current Assistant Chief Dave Staffieri and Chester County Fire Chiefs Association President John Sly, who helped honor Chief Miller's extraordinary five decades of service, leadership, and commitment to the fire service and the Downingtown community.

We remain proud of the generations of men and women who have devoted countless hours protecting the residents of Chester County. We congratulate Chief Miller on this incredible milestone, and thank him for his many years selfless service to the residents of Downingtown and the surrounding communities.

06/05/2026

Last week, Battalion Chief Bill Minahan of the Lionville Fire Company was honored for 50 years of volunteer service to the greater Lionville community.

Chief Minahan served as Fire Chief of Lionville from 1998 to 2005, and again from 2018 to 2019. In the years since, he has continued to serve the organization in a variety of leadership roles, including Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, and Battalion Chief.

Joining in the recognition were Lionville Past Chiefs Richard Ruth, Michael Holmes, and Michael Esterlis, along with current Fire Chief Michael Lam. Remarkably, these individuals represent a lineage of Lionville Fire Company fire chiefs dating back to 1975.

Neighboring chief officers from Downingtown, Kimberton, and Ludwigs Corner were also in attendance, as was Chester County Fire Chiefs Association President John Sly, to acknowledge Chief Minahan's remarkable commitment and decades of service.

We congratulate Chief Minahan on this significant milestone and thank him for his many years of leadership, dedication, and service to the citizens of Chester County.

06/01/2026

Over the past two days, hundreds of members of the Chester County fire service paid their final respects to the life and legacy of Past Chief George "Bud" Turner of the West Whiteland Fire Company, who passed away suddenly following an emergency response on May 23, 2026.

Chief Turner's extensive volunteer career – spanning more than half a century – earned him the respect and admiration of generations of chief officers, firefighters, municipal leaders, and members of the public alike.

His impact on the Chester County fire service was unmistakable, as demonstrated by the presence of more than four dozen current and former chief officers of the Chester County Fire Chiefs Association who gathered to honor his memory during visitation services.

Like many who have gone before him, we will continue to honor Chief Turner's sacrifice. His life was defined by selfless service, unwavering commitment, and dedication to others.

06/01/2026

Today, as many members of the Chester County fire service prepare to pay their final respects to Past Chief George Turner of the West Whiteland Fire Company who died in service just over one week ago, we also take time to remember the sacrifice of West Bradford Fire Co. Firefighter Everett Russell who lost his life in the Line of Duty on this date in 1954.

Firefighter Russell was reporting to the West Bradford fire station for a call when a terrible accident occurred. A responding fire truck collided head-on with Firefighter Russell’s vehicle just outside of the Village of Marshallton. Five firefighters were also injured in the tragedy; which occurred less than a year after the fire company was organized.

Though separated by more than seven decades, the losses of both Chief Turner and Firefighter Russell serve as solemn reminders that the dangers firefighters face can extend far beyond the emergency scene, including while responding to the call for help.

We will continue to remember Firefighter Russell’s sacrifice, and extend our thoughts and prayers to the families, friends, and fellow firefighters whose lives were forever changed by this incident.

05/29/2026

Last evening, the Chester County Fire Chiefs Association attended the graduation ceremony for the Octorara School District's Homeland Security & Protective Services Academy at the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus, where four outstanding cadets were recognized with CCFCA scholarships for their dedication, achievement, and commitment to public service.

This unique educational program prepares students for future careers in law enforcement, criminal justice, emergency medical services, emergency management, military service, and firefighting. As an approved Pennsylvania Department of Education Career Program of Study, the academy provides valuable hands-on training and career-focused education to students in grades 10 through 12 from school districts throughout Chester County.

The Chester County Fire Chiefs Association extends its congratulations to all graduating cadets and wishes them continued success as they pursue careers dedicated to serving and protecting their communities.

05/25/2026

Today, as we reflect upon the true meaning of Memorial Day, we pause to remember Assistant Chief Roy A. Harris from the Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company who died in the Line of Duty on this date in 1982.

Chief Harris was operating and re-filling a fire engine at a fire pond on Route 82 in the Village of Unionville when he was struck by a motorist. Three other Po-Mar-Lin firefighters were also injured in the collision.

A Chester County native, Chief Harris grew up in West Grove and had served our Country in Vietnam where he suffered serious injuries in an ambush. Living next door to the Unionville firehouse, he worked at Hewlett Packard in Avondale where he was also an Assistant Fire Chief for the company’s fire brigade.

While his death was tragic, his legacy has lived on throughout Chester County. Three of his nephews have since served in various County fire service leadership positions; including two Past Fire Chiefs of the West Grove Fire Company — Chief Robert Weer, Jr. and Chief Jeff Simpson; the latter of whom also served as Past President of the Chester County Fire Chiefs Association; along with Past Chief John Weer of the Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company — who is now our current Chief County Fire Marshal.

We will continue to acknowledge Chief Harris’ sacrifice, and we thank those dedicated members of his family who have continued to serve in his honor.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, the Chester County Fire Chiefs Association honors and remembers the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to our country.

Their sacrifice secured the freedoms we enjoy each day and their legacy will never be forgotten. We also remember the military families who continue to carry that sacrifice with strength and pride.

As communities gather this weekend, we encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

We remember. We honor. We will never forget. 🇺🇸

05/25/2026

Chief Turner was a legendary public servant in the West Whiteland community for decades. Please keep the Turner family and our colleagues at the West Whiteland Fire Company in your thoughts as they grieve from this immeasurable loss.