Retired Philly Captain David Sweeney talks about his son. Firefighter Daniel Sweeney and Lt. Robert Neary remembered. Additional fireground audio.
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WTXF:
The father of 25 year old firefighter Daniel Sweeney remembering his only son, a 6 year firefighter who graduated from Bishop Mcdevitt before joining the fire department.
David Sweeney knows all to well the dangers his son faced rushing into a burning building. He was a former fire captain recently retiring after 36 years with the department.
Above is additional fireground audio. This clip, from PhillyFireNews.com, starts when the fire was brought under control about 30-minutes before the collapse at the furniture store.
Neary, a 37-year veteran, was close to the end of his tenure. He recently had applied for the city’s Deferred Retirement Option Program so he could leave within the next four years and spend time with his wife and three children – and his boat – at the Shore.
The two injured firefighters, Francis Chaney and Pat Nally, were taken to Temple University Hospital. Chaney, 43, was treated and released.
Nally, 25, required CPR at the scene of the fire. He remained in the intensive care unit in guarded condition Monday, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said.
A Lieutenant since 1983, Robert Neary had been awarded four unit citations in his career. He was a Philadelphia police officer for three years before joining the fire department, and served as an Army reservist for 10 years, where he attained the rank of Sergeant 1st Class. Neary leaves behind his wife, Diane, and their three children.
Daniel Sweeney is the son of retired Philadelphia Fire Captain David Sweeney. Daniel joined the fire department in July of 2006 and had been awarded two unit citations during his time in service.
