Lower Merion Firefighters Receive Awards from Township

A number of firefighters were honored Wednesday night for their service in a room full of fellow volunteers, family and friends and the Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners. 

Brad Remick, Andrew Fridley and David Watrous of the were honored by the township for rescuing a 99-year-old victim from her bedroom during a Dec. 12 apartment fire at Green Hill Condominium in Wynnewood.

James “Chip” McLean, John Remillard and Michael Schwarz of the were honored by the township for their heroic efforts to save . These men also received awards from Whitemarsh Township, where the rescue occurred. 

Service awards were given to two outgoing fire company presidents—Charlie Dolan of the and Tom Zug of the Gladwyne Fire Co.—and to outgoing Chief Billy Henderson of the .

Dolan served as president of the Bryn Mawr Fire Co. for his second term between January 2008 and January 2012, said commissioner Scott Zelov. Dolan was also the president of the “presidents and chiefs” organization of Lower Merion and Narberth’s seven fire companies providing service to the community, which involved running monthly meetings.

“Your service is thanked greatly tonight, and we appreciate all you have done for us,” Zelov said.

Zug served as president of the Gladwyne Fire Co. for 15 years before retiring in January, said commissioner Jenny Brown.

“I would just like to say that Tom is a quiet and calm man of immense integrity and character,” Brown said. “He has been an outstanding advocate for our volunteer firefighters.”

Henderson was elected chief of Narberth Fire Co. in August 2005 and retired in January. 

The firefighters honored with awards were given a standing ovation by a full audience at the fire committee meeting.