Emergency vehicle dedicated to fallen Philadelphia firefighters, police officers
HUNTING PARK (WPVI) -- A new emergency response vehicle was dedicated Saturday to Philadelphia firefighters and police officers who were killed in the line of duty.
It was a solemn moment for the families of the fallen heroes.
The new truck was purchased using donations.
It will be used on the scene of working fires and other incidents by the Philadelphia Second Alarmers - volunteers dedicated to supporting emergency responders in the line of duty.
As it was put into service, a ceremony honored the life of Sgt. Robert Wilson III, who was killed earlier this year in an attempted robbery in North Philadelphia.
Officer Moses Walker Jr. who was shot and killed during a robbery attempt in 2012 was also honored.
"To have the trucks and getting them prepared to help other people - because that's what he did. He helped other people as well as his family and we miss him for that, too," said Constance Wilson, grandmother of Sgt. Wilson.
The fallen firefighters honored included Joyce Craig and Battalion Chief Michael Goodwin.
Craig was killed in 2014 while battling a house fire.
Chief Goodwin died in 2013 while fighting a blaze in South Philadelphia.
"It's been two years, yet we still feel the love and support every day from the fire department, from the police department, from the city at large. This truck dedication means that my father will be immortalized," said Michael Goodwin Jr., son.
One of the most important features of this truck are the 20 bottles of oxygen for firefighters to use in the line of duty.
Officials say the decision to dedicate the truck to fallen heroes was an easy one.
"We're hoping in the future we get to meet police recruits and fire cadets, and the truck will kind of strike up a story and say, 'Who were these people?' The truck itself will explain who they really were," said Chief George Masi, Philadelphia Second Alarmers.
"To have something like this is a joy, especially from the last couple years, going through the different trials and upsets with our family - this is a breakthrough and a positive thing for all of us," said Vergie Westray, cousin of Officer Moses Walker Jr.
