President and Deputy Chief Jim Callahan lost his long battle with kidney cancer on Saturday, March 20th at the Hospice Center at Bryn Mawr Hospital. Jim was dedicated to his family and leaves behind three sons.

Jim joined the former Oaks Volunteer Fire Company, now the Black Rock Volunteer Fire Company, to be the Company Photographer but was quickly motivated to become a Certified Firefighter II and added other certifications as he quickly moved up the ranks to the position of Deputy Chief, a position he held until his passing.

Training was one of Jim’s passions. He believed the harder and more realistic the training the better prepared the Company would be for any eventuality. His belief in training was not just limited to the firefighters but the program he presented to the elementary school student was a model for early childhood fire safety education.

Jim wanted the best equipment possible for his firefighters. He was instrumental in acquiring both federal and State grants to upgrade the equipment utilized by the Company and in the development of the specifications for and purchase of Squad 99 and Tower 99.

As the President of the Black Rock Firefighters Relief Association he maintained 100% accountability of all Relief owned equipment and never had a deficiency noted during inspections/audits by the Pennsylvania Auditor General’s Office.

Information on services and burial are not available at this time. Please keep Jim and his family in your thoughts and prayers.