Also See: 1999 LODD Notices

Department Press Release

Firefighter Philip R. Cirrito, 47, suffered an apparant heart attack and died while on duty at the Merion Fire Company of Ardmore, PA, in the early morning hours of June 9, 1999.

Firefighter Cirrito's death came towards the end of his regular 24-hour tour of duty during which - in addition to his regular duties of maintaining apparatus, equipment and facilities - he also responded as a driver/operator of an engine company to two structural fires.

These alarms occured during the afternoon of an extremely hot day on which temperatures reached the mid-90's, the hottest June 9 on record in the Philadelphia area.

Mr. Cirrito had served as a volunteer and career firefighter for over 25 years with the Merion department, and his professional and personal commitment was exemplary. The sympathy and condolences of all of his fellow firefighters are expressed to his wife, Mary, and daughter, Elizabeth.

Funeral arrangements are pending.