Philadelphia Local 22 Marks 32nd Anniversary of Tragic Refinery Fire

August 17, 2007 – Today is the 32nd anniversary of the tragic Gulf Refinery fire in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in which eight Philadelphia fire fighters were killed. Paying tribute to the fallen, Philadelphia Local 22 President Brian McBride, Local 22 executive board officers and many Local 22 fire fighters dedicated eight memorial plaques in front of the city’s Fireman’s Hall Museum on August 15.

“We will never forget the sacrifice our brother fire fighters made that day,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “These eight plaques will serve as a permanent reminder of their dedication to the fire service and to the citizens of the great city of Philadelphia.”

“We all carry the scars from that day, a horrific time seared into our hearts and minds,” says Brian McBride, president of Local 22.

The eight fallen – John Andrews, Ralph J. Campana, Robert J. Fisher, Hugh McIntyre, Roger T. Parker Jr., Joseph R. Wiley, Carroll K. Brenek and Lt. James J. Pouliot – were responding to the Gulf Oil Refinery fire when the naphtha tank burst into flames.

The flames ignited everything near Philadelphia Engine 33 and engulfed three fire fighters. As the fire continued to spread, other fire fighters on the scene ran to help those three. Tragically, six fire fighters died at the scene and two others later died from their injuries.

The refinery fire occurred during the same time that the city’s Fireman’s Hall Museum was being constructed. In fact, there is a stained glass window depicting the eight fallen fire fighters in the museum.

“Since the refinery was all but destroyed in the fire, we felt it fitting to place the plaques outside the museum where many passersby can see them and remember what happened,” says McBride.

Philanthropist Kal Rudman sponsored the eight plaques and awarded scholarships for the children of the eight fallen fire fighters.

Local 22 began its memorial plaque dedication program on May 9, 2006, with a tribute to fire fighters Vencent Acey and John Redmond who were killed in the line of duty in January 1994.

A plaque dedication ceremony is held every month between the months of March and November.