Passing the extinguisher
New Hope Gazette
By Sean Patrick Murphy, Assistant Editor
03/16/2006

When one thinks of selfless giving back to the community, one can't help but think of the Cosner family in New Hope. Four generations of the family have been working for the volunteer Eagle Fire Company for more than 50 years.

Fred Williamson, the president of the Eagle Fire Company and New Hope Borough fire marshal, presented the whole family with the President's Award at the fire company's recent annual banquet. "When I had to think about who I was going to give this award to, I couldn't pick just one in the family," Williamson said of the award, which he presents annually. "I had to pick the entire family because the entire family does so much for the fire department that quite frankly I couldn't even imagine the Eagle Fire Company without them. How could I not give it to them?"

So, why is it so many in the family are involved? "I think it stems from a long line -- his [Frank Cosner, Sr.'s] father was an intricate part of the fire company and it kind of goes down from father to son," Williamson said. "They care about New Hope-Solebury. It is in their blood. They care about the community and this is their way of giving back."

Frank Cosner, Sr. said recently that giving back is just something he was raised to do. "We make our living here in the town and we've had a family business for about 80 years and my dad always felt that you should give something back to the community where you make your living, so that's what we chose to do," he said. "It's just something we've all been able to be involved with."

"Giving back to people is so important," said Patty Cosner, Frank Cosner Sr.'s wife. "People really don't know what they miss." "Not only are their sons firemen but their sons' wives also help in every single endeavor the fire company has," Williamson said. Williamson also said the family helps "on every level" by helping with fires, with fund-raising, and with victims of fires.

"Frank Sr.'s been with the fire company just forever. Both sons have been in it a long, long time. Patty is the powerhouse behind the fund-raising activities," Williamson said. "If Patty hadn't done it, this fire company would be in dire straits financially."

He also said Frank Cosner, Sr.'s grandchildren are now getting into the act by helping out at pancake breakfasts and such, marking the fourth generation of Cosners to work at the fire company.

Frank Cosner, Sr., a safety officer and who sits on the company's board of directors, said he got involved when he was a teenager living on New Street in New Hope. "My dad was always heavily involved with the fire company so every time the whistle went I got to go along," he said. "When I finally became 16, old enough to join, I joined."

That was 50 years ago this year. "It's been very enjoyable," Frank Cosner, Sr. said of his time with the company. "I take a great deal of pride in the fact that we can go out and help somebody with a problem go away and hopefully we've made life a little better for somebody." He also said it was "quite a surprise" for his whole family to receive the President's Award earlier this month because it usually goes to an individual. "It was kind of breathtaking," Patty Cosner said. "To be honored as a family is a very moving tribute."

Patty Cosner, the chief fund-raiser for the company, joked the most dangerous part of her firefighting time was being sure that the hall light got turned on before all four of the firefighters at her home started to pound down the hallway. "Fortunately, with my two bosses being firemen, they give me a lot of time on the job to do the fund drive," she said.

Frank Cosner, Jr., the deputy chief at the company, said he was "very appreciative" of the award and that he was "quite overwhelmed and surprised." Frank Cosner, Jr. remembered following his dad, serving coffee at night fires and "seeing what good the fire company did for the community and wanting to be part of that."
Getting a fire scene in order is one thing Frank Cosner, Jr. likes most about his job.
"The best part from my side is showing up at a fire scene, taking over and trying to create calmness out of chaos," he said.

The most challenging fire in recent history, according to the Cosners, was last year's gas explosion on West Ferry Street, because the gas was "all over the place" -- in the basement, underneath the sidewalk and in the street. Frank Cosner, Jr. said his goal is "to make the community a better place to live." He also said he is proud that his 12-year-old and 15-year-old children are interested in joining the fire company as well.