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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Rick Taylor |
  
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State House honors fallen Montgomery County firefighter
HARRISBURG, June 25 – The state House today unanimously adopted a resolution sponsored by Rep. Rick Taylor, D-Montgomery, memorializing Wissahickon Fire Co. member Ray Simons III, who died following an alarm last December.
Simonis, a 19-year veteran with the fire company, was on the crew of Ladder 7 and a member of Haz-Mat Team 919.
On Dec. 17, the 48-year-old Simonis responded with Ladder 7 to a mutual aid call for a fire at an apartment building in Upper Dublin Township and located the source of the smoke on the second floor. Within hours, Simonis died of a heart attack attributed to his exertion at the fire scene.
Simonis is survived by his wife Chris, daughters Marika, Alyssa and Gabriella, and his parents Ray and Estelle, who were present for the adoption of Taylor's resolution. Wissahickon Fire Chief John Leadbeater, Capt. Steve Blodgett and Ambler Mayor Bud Wahl were also present.
"So often we take our volunteer firefighters for granted unless we come upon an emergency scene or when they pass by with their lights and sirens," Taylor said. "The rest of the time, they're pretty much out-of-mind, but we are reminded through tragedies like this of their tremendous dedication and sacrifice, and how priceless volunteers like Ray Simonis are to our communities and to the safety of those we love.
"Ray and his family paid the highest price for his dedication, and we must always keep in mind our neighbors like him who are always at the ready to put their lives on the line for others."
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