Oakmont Fire Company would like to congratulate one of our own Firefighters Mark Christake. Mark is a police officer with Marple Township and received Officer of the year. Congratulations Mark and well deserved!

Broomall Rotary Club Post

The Broomall Rotary Club was delighted to be a part of honoring the Marple Township Police Department’s Police Officer of the year, Mark Christake. Rotarian Jim Bradley introduced the Mark Christake as a remarkable young man. Here are Jim’s remarks:

Officer Mark Christake has consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism, outstanding initiative, and unwavering dedication to public safety since joining the Marple Township Police Department on October 7, 2022. A graduate of Haverford High School with further studies in Civil engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and police academy certification from DCCC, he brings a strong academic foundation and diverse work experience, including over a decade of property management and two years’ service with the Rockledge Borough (Montgomery County) Police Department to his role in Marple township. Above all, mark is a genuine soul and hard wired with common sense. Combined with an exceedingly strong ability to listen and desire to help, Mark sets the standard for conduct by any metric. His commitment to service is further grounded by the support of his family, his parents, Laura and George, his sisters, Alexis and Amanda, and his girlfriend Olivia Sacco, who are all in attendance this evening except for his mother, Laura, and sister, Amanda. They have been instrumental in shaping the character and work ethic he brings to this department each day. Over his first two years with MTPD, Officer Christake earned four letters of commendation. In 2025, he earned two additional letters and one Excellent Duty Citation in recognition of his exceptional performance and professionalism.

Police Officer Mark Christake then spoke briefly thanking the Rotary Club and MTPD for the honor.

Police Chief Brandon Graeff then spoke about the specifics of the incidents that led up to all of Police Officer Christake’s awards in detail with each incident being more amazing than the last. Chief Graeff stated that Officer Christake demonstrated the highest standards of police service-initiative, courage, technical proficiency, and sound decision-making. Afterward presenting Mark with the plaque with his name added to it that will be displayed at the station, Chief Graeff then spoke about the state of our township in regards to its safety and police involvement. Here are some of the highlights:

MTPD has 16, 449 total calls for service, a 5.5% increase from 2024, 38% reduction in thefts, and a total reported crimes of 403, 17% decrease from 2024. Fraud was the second highest crime category. We had no murders, one attempted murder, three robberies, and one rape with all actors ID’d, arrested, and charged by MTPD.

MTPD hosted nineteen training sessions where 599 officers were trained, valued at $273,000. The Department received 42 free training seats which saved the taxpayers $22,000 out of a $15K budget.

The Department feels that development/wellness initiatives of mental, financial, and professional development are essential for a healthy and well-rounded police officer both at work and at home. To this end, they received 5,023 hours of training, 900 hours of which were mandated by state and federal law. They had the highest raining total in the county. There was a new Career Development Plan launched for investigative and leadership tracks that allows officers to identify their interests and supervisors to support them in that pursuit.

MTPD transitioned to a new Countywide radio system, continued to use Ford Explorers (Tahoe issues), transitioned to Glock 45 MOS (modular optic system) with red-dot optics which improved accuracy and officer confidence, and launched their Drone Program (MTPD Air Force) These included four drones, eight certified operators, and enhanced investigative and search capabilities.

All of these new and innovative programs were partially funded by the department aggressively pursuing funding through grants and private foundations and with asset forfeiture funds which included $151,000 in asset forfeiture-funded equipment and training in 2025 alone., usually beginning with a patrol officer’s car or pedestrian stop. These paid for two administrative cars, one truck, two drones and associated training. Chief Graeff specifically praised the efforts by Representative Jennifer O’Mara and Senator Tim Kearney in their efforts to secure grants and support. Since 2020, MTPD has secured over 1.1M (over $700K for LPR/BWC Systems).

From the government, they secured two Explorers paid entirely with a Representative Jennifer O’Mara DCED supported grant of $139,979.60 (2025) and $50K for a Silverado (2024). Private funding came from Walmart, Firehouse Subs, and HOA donations that supported their COPE and community relations programs.

Chief Graeff stated that 2025 was a year of measurable progress and operational excellence in crime reduction, training commitment, innovation, and community partnership with only reflect the professionalism, dedication, and hard work of the men and women, including Mark Christake, who proudly serve their Marple Township community every day.

We want to, again, congratulate Police Officer Mark Christake and wish him the best in many more years in Marple Township. We are so very grateful for the professionalism, passion and dedication of our Marple Police Department and thank Chief Graeff and Police Officer Christake for taking the time to speak to our club. It is because of their tireless efforts in serving our community and keeping us safe that they embrace the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”

If you would like to make a difference in your community and your world and feel that the Broomall Rotary Club might be the organization that fits that need, please check out our web site at broomallrotary.com and join us on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 at Charlottes Restaurant in Newtown Square.

Photo: Chief Brandon Graeff, Police Officer Mark Christake, and Rotarian Jim Bradley. Alexis Christake, Olivia Sacco, Police Officer Mark Christake and his father, George Christake. By: Leslie Stack

https://www.facebook.com/BroomallRotaryClub

The Oakmont Fire Company would like to congratulate Steve Poole on his promotion to Chief of Brookline Volunteer Fire Company – Station 35. Steve is the son of past Oakmont Assistant Chief Wally Poole. Congratulations Steve we know Wally is looking down proud.

Since last December, nine of our members have successfully completed FF1. The effort they have put into it is incredible along with all the training inside the station.

A special shout-out goes to Assistant Howard for handling all the scheduling, as well as LJ Howard and Michael Straub for leading the Oakmont book training. This achievement would not have been possible without the support and teamwork of everyone involved.

Thank you to all who contributed, and congratulations to our nine members on a terrific job well done.

This morning at approximately 0330 hrs. Oakmont Fire Co alongside Brookline Volunteer Fire Company – Station 35, Merion Fire Company of Ardmore, Narberth Ambulance & Haverford Township Police Department were dispatched to 700 Ardmore Ave Haverford Village Apts for the commercial building fire. Haverford PD arrived and reported heavy smoke and fire so the working fire dispatch was requested bringing Llanerch Volunteer Fire Company, Manoa Fire Company – Station 56, Bon Air Fire Company & Broomall Fire Company. Oakmont would like to thank everyone who helped this morning in difficult conditions, also a THANK YOU goes out to Springfield Fire Company – Station 44 and Garrettford-Drexel Hill Fire Co.  for covering our station while crews operated.

On Tuesday December 9th at 2213 hrs Oakmont Fire Company along with Eng-35 (Brookline Volunteer Fire Company – Station 35), Eng-53 (Broomall Fire Company), RIT 56 (Manoa Fire Company – Station 56), Micu108(Narberth Ambulance) and Haverford Township Police Department were dispatched to the 2200-blk of Avon Rd for a dwelling fire. Lieutenant 38 arrived on location with smoke showing from the rear of the property, upon further investigation found an exterior fire that had spread to the inside of the home. Ladder 38 arrived and went into service alongside Eng-35 providing a water supply. At that time the assignment was upgraded to the working fire dispatch bringing RIT 53(Broomall), Eng-34 (Llanerch Volunteer Fire Company) and R58 (Bon Air Fire Company). Assistant 38A had command and placed the fire under control at 2050hrs. Oakmont would like to thank all the assist companies who operated at the scene.

Photo credit. Tappan Firephotos

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the firehouse to get photos with Santa. We now have access to them; if you haven’t already been contacted by the photographer for access to them, please reach out to us.

Special thanks to photographer Christine Melissa for helping us make this happen.

Come join the holiday fun on Sunday, November 9th from 12 PM to 3 PM at the Oakmont Fire House! Snap a festive photo with Santa himself aboard our 1925 American LaFrance Fire Truck — a true piece of history!

📸 Professional photos by SHOTBYSCHMADER will be taken at no charge, and digital images will be available for a small fee.

It’s first come, first served and rain or shine event, so grab your family, friends, and holiday cheer and head our way! Donations are welcome and will go directly toward the continued restoration of our beloved 1925 fire truck.

Mark Your Calendars!
Join us on Thursday, October 9th at 6:30 PM for our Fire Prevention Open House!
Enjoy live demonstrations, hands-on activities, and fun for all ages as we promote fire safety in our community. Don’t miss it!

08/26/25 23:01 Ladder 38 was alerted to the area of Eagle Road & Sunny Hill Road for fire coming from a home. At 23:05 Ladder 38 arrived behind the rest of the Haverford Township Bureau of Fire, and operated for an hour.

Tappan Fire Photos