Introducing: Dale Palmer

Seven in a series of articles spotlighting Borough of Palmyra employees, volunteers and community members.

The Palmyra Fire Department is overloaded with many hardworking, dedicated volunteers, but even they have a go-to guy when they need to get things done:  Dale Palmer.

Dale currently holds the position of Engineer after having joined the FD in September 2009.  He’s also served with distinction on the Board of Trustees and has been recognized by the President of the Fire Company as Firemen of the Year.  Clearly Dale knows how to knock it out of the park.

And speaking of parks — Dale is also a critical member of the Borough’s staff where he heads up our maintenance department, which includes maintaining and supplying the Concession Stand at Legion Field — an important fundraising tool used by a number of the Borough’s non-profit youth organizations.  In addition, Dale is responsible for all facilities maintenance at Borough Hall and the Community Center!  Clearly he’s the Borough’s go-to guy as well!!

Before coming to Palmyra’s Fire Department Dale was a member in Delran, joining on February 2, 1995.  He went on to serve in Delran as Chief Engineer from January 1996 to December 2006, Vice President from January 1997 to December 1998, and President in 2007.  He earned life membership in the Delran FD in 2010.

And if that weren’t enough, Master Sergeant Dale A. Palmer is a decorated veteran of the U.S Air Force!

The following is from his official biography (written some number of years ago):

“Master Sergeant Dale A. Palmer is Chief, Logistics Plans, Detachment 4, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Ramstein Air Base Germany.  Sergeant Palmer was born in Meadville, PA on 25 April 1957.  He received an Associate’s Degree from the Community College of the Air Force in 1989 and is a graduate of the Non-Commissioned Officers Leadership School and Non-Commissioned Officers Academy.

After completing Basic Military Training School in October 1975, Sergeant Palmer’s first assignment was to the 3902nd Transportation Squadron, Offutt AFB, Nebraska, as Vehicle Operator.  In April 1977, he transferred to the 21st Transportation Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska as a Crew Bus Operator and in May 1979, he became Superintendent, Transportation Control Center of the 44th Transportation Squadron at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.  Sergeant Palmer’s next assignment in December 1980, was to the 438th Aerial Port Squadron, McGuire AFB, New Jersey as Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge Vehicle Monitoring.  Following this assignment he reported to Royal Air Force Chicksands, United Kingdom in July 1984 as the 7274th Air Base Group Transportation Division Vehicle Management Superintendent.  In July 1988, Sergeant Palmer returned to the 4392nd Aerospace Support Wing, Vandenberg AFB, California as War Reserve Material Program Manager.  In February 1991, he was assigned to his present position.

Sergeant Palmer’s military decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leak Clusters and the Good Conduct Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster.”

Dale has one son, Ryan, who works for the Borough’s Public Works Department and his wife, Cindy, is a Crossing Guard.  We’re sure they’re both very proud of Dale – as are we; his co-workers, fellow volunteers, and friends.

Dale is the tall gentleman on the far right.  Photograph courtesy of Michelle Arnold.

Previous Introductions

Six:  Marva Jones
Five:  Millie Opperman & Jeanne Kahana
Four:  Susan Doerr
Three:  Jules Dore’
Two:  Jeremy Jankowski
One:  Bridget Elmes