PHOTOS: S. Philly students pay Firefighters Appreciation Day visit to station that saved their school

As a part of Firefighters’ Appreciation Day, Councilmen Jim Kenney and Mark Squilla led students from Alphabet Academy in South Philadelphia on a visit to Engine 10, Ladder 11 at 11th and Reed streets this morning.

Firefighters from that station were the first responders to a two-alarm fire at the pre-school in February of 2005, safely evacuating all 59 children and 17 adults. Students presented them with a giant thank-you card recognizing their heroism.

Kenney last week pushed for Firefighters’ Appreciation Day to be extended to Firefighters’ Appreciation Week, citing low morale in the department as a result of an extended contract dispute with Mayor Michael Nutter’s administration. He urged Philadelphians to drop by their local fire stations this week and bring letters, cookies, or simply words of encouragement.

Residents can also donate to the Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund, a nonprofit created by firefighters’ union Local 22 and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5 to raise money for a new, updated memorial for firefighters and police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.