Joseph Kasper, January 29th, 1933
On Sunday, January 29, 1933, while fighting a fire in a vacant mansion located at 18th Street & Clarkson Avenue, Hoseman Joseph Kasper of Engine 55 died of heart failure after jumping clear of a falling chimney.
A poem was published in the April 1933 issue of the Fire & Police News. It references Chief Douglas who was killed in a collapse on January 28, 1933, he was assigned to Battalion 4. It also mentions ‘Arnold’ who is Charles Arnold who died on February 19, 1933 of injuries sustained at a fire on February 7, 1933. He was assigned to Engine 44.
1933 was not a good year for the PFD. Along with these three men, there were four other firefighters killed in the line of duty after this poem was written.
Joseph L. Kasper- Engine 55, Died January 29, 1933
Edward J. LaHart -Engine 43, Died May 30, 1933
George C. France - Engine 62, Died June 3, 1933
George E. Cavanaugh - Truck 24, Died November 21, 1933
Peter L. Murray - Engine 54, Died November 21, 1933
Joseph Kasper, January 29th, 1933
On Sunday, January 29, 1933, while fighting a fire in a vacant mansion located at 18th Street & Clarkson Avenue, Hoseman Joseph Kasper of Engine 55 died of heart failure after jumping clear of a falling chimney.
A poem was published in the April 1933 issue of the Fire & Police News. It references Chief Douglas who was killed in a collapse on January 28, 1933, he was assigned to Battalion 4. It also mentions ‘Arnold’ who is Charles Arnold who died on February 19, 1933 of injuries sustained at a fire on February 7, 1933. He was assigned to Engine 44.
1933 was not a good year for the PFD. Along with these three men, there were four other firefighters killed in the line of duty after this poem was written.
Joseph L. Kasper- Engine 55, Died January 29, 1933
Edward J. LaHart -Engine 43, Died May 30, 1933
George C. France - Engine 62, Died June 3, 1933
George E. Cavanaugh - Truck 24, Died November 21, 1933
Peter L. Murray - Engine 54, Died November 21, 1933
Career History
Appointed Ladderman Truck 7 - June 6, 1919
Resigned - July 20, 1920
Reappointed Hoseman Chemical 5 -April 11, 1921
Resigned - April 11, 1921
Reappointed Hoseman Water Tower 1 - February 21, 1922
Transferred Ladderman Truck 7 - August 1, 1922
Transferred Hoseman Engine 55 - October 1, 1932
Additonal Information
Name: Joseph L. Kasper
Date of appointment: June 16, 1919
Address: 2938 E. Venango St
Age at appointment: 22
Occupation at appointment: Laborer
Position of appointment: Ladderman
Station assigned: Truck 7 @ 1225 N 4th St
Resigned: July 20, 1920
Reinstated: April 11, 1921
Assigned to: Chemical 5 @ Rising Sun & Somerville Aves.
Resigned: April 11, 1921
Reinstated: February 21, 1922
Assigned to: Water Tower 1 @ 2110 Market St.
Transferred to: Truck 7, August 1, 1922
Transferred to: Engine 55, October 1, 1932 @ Marshall St. & Erie Ave.
Died: January 29, 1933 in the Line of Duty
On January 29, 1933 while fighting a fire in a vacant mansion located at 18th St and Clarkson Ave. Hoseman Joseph Kasper of Engine 55 died of a heart attack after jumping clear of a falling chimney.
Hoseman Kasper’s death is mentioned on page 104 of ‘Hike Out.’