Honoring the Memory of Philadelphia Firefighter Daniel J. Sweeney.

WHEREAS, Daniel Sweeney was 25 years old and a six-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department. His love for his profession was surpassed only by his love for his family, his mother Marianne, his father, recently retired Philadelphia Fire Captain David Sweeney, and his sisters Deborah, Suzanne, and Sarah. They reside in the Fox Chase section of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, In his early years, Daniel participated in a variety of sports. He played baseball and basketball for Fox Rok, and soccer with the Fox Chase Soccer Team. Daniel also was an altar server at St. Cecilia's Church in Fox Chase, and a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 290; and

WHEREAS, Daniel joined the Philadelphia Fire Department on July 6, 2006 at Engine 64/B. On May 24, 2007, he joined Ladder Company 10. His superiors and colleagues considered him to be a firefighter worthy of respect, admiration and emulation. He was awarded two unit citations for his bravery, in rescuing an elderly woman trapped on the second floor of her burning dwelling on December 4, 2009, and for rescuing several occupants from a burning dwelling on March 30, 2008; and

WHEREAS, On Monday, April 9, 2012, at 3:13 a.m., a five-alarm blaze broke out at an abandoned factory near the intersection of Jasper and York Streets in East Kensington. The flames quickly spread to an adjacent discount furniture store at Kensington Avenue and Boston Street; and

WHEREAS, At approximately 5:50 a.m., as Ladder Company 10 fought to extinguish the flames inside, Lieutenant Robert Neary and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, sustained fatal injuries; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia firefighters are in the front lines of defense against a wide variety of disasters that threaten life and property; and

WHEREAS, Firefighter Daniel J. Sweeney will be remembered for his great love of his work, and the pride he took in performing beyond the call of duty. He will be remembered for his generous nature. He will be remembered, always, as a hero; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby respectfully join the Philadelphia Fire Department, family and friends of Firefighter Daniel J. Sweeney in mourning his death and honoring his memory. To his parents, Marianne and retired Philadelphia Fire Captain David Sweeney, his sisters Deborah, Suzanne and Sarah, and girlfriend Christine Plotts, we extend our heartfelt sympathy and our prayers for your comfort.

RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Philadelphia Firefighter Daniel J. Sweeney as evidence of the profound condolences of this legislative body.

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