| In many ways, the Masseys are like those firehouse horses of old. When they hear the whistle blow, they jump into action, and nothing can stop them from charging out the gate, straight to the middle of the action.
Robert, 79, and Louise 78, the Massey's are fire police out of the Avondale Fire Company. On Tuesday night, they were named state Fire Police of the Year for 2012 by John R. Johnston, the president of the Pennsylvania Fire Police Association.
Having already been designated the Chester County Fire Police of the year, they were somewhat surprised but not overwhelmed to have further honors heaped upon them at the opening of the fire company meeting.
In presenting them with their plaque Johnston praised their work, comparing it to a statement made by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
"He said, 'A leader is someone who can make others do what he wants when he wants it.' You have taken it to the highest possible degree," Johnston said.
He added that in their combined service of 89 years, the couple has successfully assured that the public does what they are supposed to and stays where they are supposed to stay in emergency situations.
Chester County Fire Police Association President Ron Miller also participated in the presentation. He said that in the history of the state honors being given, this is the first time it was given to a pair rather than an individual.
Robert and Louise are a familiar sight to anyone who has ever driven past a critical event on the streets of southern Chester County over the past almost half century. They guide traffic and bystanders around at a safe distance and make sure they don't impede the work of the emergency responders.
Robert's first venture into the world of emergency responders was to join the West Grove Fire Company as a fireman in 1952, and then moved to Avondale Company as a Fire Policeman. Louise followed him into that job.
For years they have responded to the two pagers they have in their house.
As soon as the devices go off, day or night, the couple gets dressed and goes to the location.
"You never know when you leave what it's going to be, you just go," Louise said.
When Louise was asked to recall one or two memorable assignments, Louise prefaced her statement by saying it wasn't a fire that she remembers the most. "It was the shooting of the (Amish) school children up in Bart Township. We were there for three days. We had to keep the media away. They would try to sneak through the corn fields to see the caskets," she said.
"You've never been through it till you've been through that," Robert added.
Louise also said that many of the incidents they get called to are heart rending, especially when children are involved.
In addition to fires, they are called to direct traffic around auto accidents, and that too is disturbing, Louise said.
As the couple wend their way through their 70s and approach 80, they were asked if they ever considered retiring.
"Yes. I think that's coming pretty soon," Louise said.
The officers and members of AFC would like to congratulation the Massey's once again on this wonderful award.
These awards are well deserved.
Parts of this story taken from the Kennett Paper article. |
