Upper Darby Firefighters Swearing in Ceremony

Upper Darby Firefighters Swearing in Ceremony  

Upper Darby Mayor Ed Brown swore in three new Township firefighters on Monday, December 15, 2025. 

Patrick Quirk, Jacob Nienow, and Taylor Dowden will begin as probationary firefighters in the Upper Darby Fire Department.  

Nienow- prior to his Upper Darby Fire Department appointment, he was a volunteer and career firefighter and EMT. Served for 4 years as a combat medic in the Army’s 82nd Airborne, deployed to Afghanistan. Jake is married.  

Dowden- is certified as an EMT. He served 6 years in the US Air Force. Received 2 achievement awards while in the USAF. 

Quirk- is certified as an EMT. He served 6 years in the PA Army National Guard. Patrick is married with 2 children.  

These probationary members completed the Harrisburg Area Community College Career Fire Academy and graduated December 12.  

The class was 14 weeks long and included PT training with a mandatory 1.5 mile run in 12 minutes. Among the certifications they received are FF 1, FF2, Hazardous Materials, Vehicle Rescue Technician, Engine and Ladder Driver, Ropes and Rigging, and Firefighter Rescue and Survival. There were recruits from the following departments: Upper Darby Township Fire Department, Altoona Fire Department, Dunmore Fire Department, Chambersburg Fire Department, and the Williamsport Bureau of Fire.