Lawncrest residents and others came together Monday night to observe the fifth anniversary of the passing of firefighter Joyce Craig.
When Craig died in a house fire on Dec. 9, 2014, she became the first woman Philadelphia firefighter to be killed in the line of duty. She was 37.
Craig was stationed at Engine 64, at Rising Sun Avenue and Benner Street, but was working overtime in West Oak Lane on the day she died. She was posthumously promoted to lieutenant.
Kathy Wersinger, who works at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, emceed the event, held inside Engine 64 because of rain. Attendees held lit candles and listened to remarks by the Rev. Al Concha, pastor of St. William Catholic Church; Lt. Paul Kirk, of Engine 64; state Reps. Jared Solomon and Isabella Fitzgerald; former Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer; and Capt. Lisa Forrest, president of Club Valiants, a group of black firefighters.
“She was a fantastic firefighter,” Kirk said.
Others in attendance included Bill Dolbow, president of the Lawncrest Community Association, and Bill Conaway, director of community relations at the Protestant Home.
Greg Masi, chief of the Second Alarmers, provided hot chocolate and cookies. ••
