By Jennifer Todd
Intelligencer Journal
Copyright 2007 Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.
LANCASTER, Pa. — Joe Kempf lived his life much the way he died - by helping others.
And on Sunday, a local fire company dedicated in his honor a piece of equipment intended to do the same thing.
A volunteer fireman at Neffsville Fire Company and high school teacher, the Manheim Township High School graduate was known as a leader and as someone who would go out of his way for someone in need.
On Dec. 19, 2004, Kempf and his girlfriend were traveling on snow-covered Interstate 80 in Clinton County when they came upon a multi-vehicle accident.
Kempf pulled over and told his girlfriend to wait in the truck because it was too dangerous.
He never returned. The 24-year-old was struck and killed by a vehicle that spun out of control.
On Sunday, Neffsville Fire Company honored their fallen colleague by dedicating Squad 2-7, the department’s rescue vehicle, to Kempf, who had been a member of the department since 1995.
“It’s an honor to be able to remember Joe in this way,” Neffsville Chief Mike Elliott said during a ceremony attended by local firefighters, Manheim Township officials and members of the community. “In a sense, he’ll always be with us.”
Elliott asked Joe’s parents, Jim and Lori Kempf of Lititz, to unveil a plaque mounted on the squad truck honoring their son for his selflessness and dedication.
Mrs. Kempf had one brief remark.
“Joe wouldn’t have done things any differently,” she said. “I would hope that if any of you ever find yourself in a similar situation, you’ll be the one to stop, because that means everything.”
At the start of the ceremony, members of the Civil Air Patrol presented the colors and raised an American flag that had been flown in Iraq by Marine Cpl. Adrienne Hunt, who was a friend of Kempf.
Also during the ceremony, state Rep. John Bear, who represents the 97th District, called Kempf “a true Pennsylvania hero,” and said the state House passed Resolution 183 designating Sunday as Joseph Kempf Day in Pennsylvania.
“His selflessness and dedication to others should be an inspiration to all of us to put service above self,” Bear said.
After the ceremony, Mrs. Kempf said her son, who was a teacher at Wallenpaupack High School in northeast Pennsylvania when he died, became a junior member of the fire department in 10th grade and was always quick to lend a hand when he was needed.
“He always had a first-responder personality and would often ride his bike to calls,” she said. “I also drove him around a lot at that time, picking him up here and dropping him off there. If we came upon a call, he’d ask me to stop and let him out.”
Although Mrs. Kempf said she was “scared to death” of her son being a firefighter, she also said she greatly respects the profession.
“It’s a wonderful thing for young people to get involved in,” she said. “Joe loved being a part of it, and I wouldn’t have wanted anything different for him. He had it in him to help others, and that’s how he’ll be remembered.”