Council honors fallen firefighters, eyes effort to prevent fire deaths

Working smoke alarms could have prevented 84 percent of last year's fire fatalities officials have said.

Today City Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. introduced a bill amending the Philadelphia Fire Code to allow one and two family dwellings to use battery powered smoke alarms only if they are equipped with 10-year non-removable (sealed) batteries.

Jones said he isn't pushing for residents to use any particular vendor, but that they use batteries with a longer lifespan. Although fire fatalities are down 27 of 32 fire deaths last year could have been prevented with a working smoke detector.

Meanwhile, Council honored Philly's fallen firefighters Lt. Robert Neary, 59, and Daniel Sweeny, 25, with a moment of silence and resolutions paying tribute to both whom died Monday morning fighting a warehouse fire in East Kensington. The resolutions were sponsored by Councilman Brian O'Neill, Council president Darrell Clarke and supported by all members of Council. The resolutions were unanimously adopted by standing vote.

Viewing and memorial services for Neary will be 4 p.m. Friday at Givnish Funeral Home, 10975 Academy Road, in Northeast Philadelphia. Viewing service for Sweeney will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Cecilia Church, 535 Rhawn St., Fox Chase.