Kenneth Penn
Kenneth L. Penn entered the Camden Fire Department on February 1, 1966. He rose through the ranks to become Chief of Department, appointed effective October 1, 1989, succeeding Deputy Chief John J. Mogck Jr. He was sworn in by Mayor Melvin “Randy” Primas. Penn served as chief until July 1, 1998.
City honors firefighters retiring after 38 years
Camden Courier-Post —
CAMDEN — It was the end of an era.
The city council said farewell to six of its oldest firefighters yesterday, three days before they were set to retire. Each has worked for the city fire department for 38 years.
Also honored was Deputy Chief James McMaster, who is retiring after 36 years of service.
“If I’m not mistaken, we have just witnessed 254 years of combined service,” said Council President Gwendolyn Faison after proclamations were read honoring the men who have dedicated over three decades to the city. Deputy Fire Chief John Mogck, who is leaving as chief, started a standing ovation from the audience at the regular council session.
Kenneth Penn, 44, is to be sworn in on Monday by Mayor Randy Primas as the new fire chief.
In other action yesterday, the city attorney’s office was criticized on three fronts.
Frank McGuckin, president of Local 788 of the International Association of Firefighters, criticized City Attorney Patricia Darden of trying to force firefighters Charles Arline, 44, and John DiMaggio, 44, to work a week 41 hours.
McGuckin said after the meeting that Darden was trying to use an old provision to increase working hours, and that the department constitution would have to be changed.
But the union president said the practice was illegal. A new contract proposal that would require all to go into effect today was voted by Business Administrator Patricia Lacy.
Mogck’s successor, Chief Kenneth Penn, 44, is to be sworn in on Monday. Mogck, in an interview, said he couldn’t be more proud of the city department. Penn will take over as chief effective Oct. 1.
“He’s a top man,” said McGuckin, who also contacted Penn being named chief.
In another matter, two recipients of $10,000 grants from a federal program were directed through the legal department for drawing up contracts that would release the grants.
Camden Fire Department 125th Anniversary 1869–1994
Camden Fire Department 125th Anniversary, 1869–1994 — Following a tough Third Alarm, a little candid humor always takes the edge off and helps make the physical aches and pains of battle all but forgotten. In South Camden, 1994: Front, from left: Bob Frymoyer, Dennis Penn, Herb Leary, Kenneth Penn. Rear, partially obscured: George Kurtyan.