Thanks to the generous support of our elected officials and our Delaware County Community, the Delaware County Fallen Firefighter & EMS Memorial is nearing completion.  This dream has taken many years to be realized and would not have been possible without help from everyone.  We are proud that those who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the citizens of Delaware County will soon be forever honored at the memorial in Rose Tree Park.  We hope that this beautiful and serene setting will always give the families of those lost a place to reflect and remember their loved ones.  It will also stand as a reminder to our community how fragile life is and how valuable our emergency responders are.

We are pleased to announce that the memorial’s dedication will take place on Saturday, November 1, 2008.  We would like to extend an invitation for your company to join us at this ceremony.  The dedication will begin at 11:00 am.  However, due to the large numbers expected of both families and emergency providers, we ask that you arrive no later than 10:00 am.  Please enter the Park from the 252 entrance closest to Rose Tree Rd.  From there you will be directed to the assigned parking areas.  We are asking that all personnel not involved in the memorial walkway to be lined up in front of the Hunt Club by 10:20 am.

Family FD Escorts:  We are asking that your company designate someone of rank or of special nature to the family to act as the family’s escort into the memorial during the ceremony.  We ask that the FD Escort arrive at Rose Tree Park and report to the rear of the 2nd arch no later than 09:30am.  The FD Escort should be in full dress uniform and have with them their lost member’s helmet or facsimile.  In the case of the lost member being part of the Fire Police or EMS crew, the standard 8 point hat of the era is acceptable.  In the cases in which there are multiple losses, we ask that you provide a FD Escort for each loss, as well a helmet or hat for each. 

Family Members of LODD’s:  We are asking that each company individually make contact with the family members of the LODD’s from your station, if you have not done so as of yet.  Please convey the following information:  All family members planning to attend are asked to report at 09:30am to the Rose Tree Fire Station #73, located at 1275 N. Providence Rd. Media, PA 19063.  Transportation will be provided for them from Rose Tree FH to the ceremony.  Special needs should be reported along with a number when you RSVP.  Please do not hesitate to report any special circumstance when you call the number below.

Memorial Walkway:  We are asking that each company to supply 2 uniformed personnel.  These members will take up a position in line starting from the memorial’s entrance continuing out towards the second arch.  These Class A uniformed personnel need to be under the 2nd arch at 09:30am. 

Apparatus Parking:   Upon your arrival, you will be directed to a manpower drop off area and then moved into the apparatus parking areas.  ALL APPARATUS IN ATTENDANCE WILL BE PARKED AND WILL BE OUT OF SERVICE.  The police department will not allow you to respond from Rose Tree Park.

Cell Phones, Pagers & Attire:  Please ensure that all cell phones, pagers, and communication devices are turned off in addition to your members being properly uniformed.  Full dress uniform is recommended.
Light refreshments will be provided before and after the dedication ceremony. 

This is expected to be one of the largest events in Delaware County Fire & EMS history.  To ensure that we accommodate all of our guests, we kindly ask that you RSVP with an approximate number attending by October 27, 2008 by calling 610-356-8444.