NPT Fire Marshal retires after nearly a decade of service.

In his earlier years as the Nether Providence Township Fire Marshal, Jack Gresch had a routine every time he spoke to school students about fire safety and prevention.

“I’m Jack. I’m your friend,” he would say, introducing himself to the class. Then, as he began to put on his turnout gear, he would pause after each piece, engaging the children in a playful yet profound way.

“Who am I?” he would ask. “I’m still Jack. I’m still your friend, right?” He repeated this after each gear item, from the boots on his feet to the air mask covering his face, from the gloves on his hands to the helmet atop his head.

When he finished dressing, he would ask, “Who am I now?” With his familiar face barely peeking from behind his mask, he would reply, “See, I’m still Jack. It looks scary but I’m still me. I’m still your friend. Never be afraid of a firefighter.”

Looking back, Gresch said, “It’s a timeless lesson.”

Tuesday, April 1, marked Gresch’s last official day as township Fire Marshal, retiring after nearly 10 years. For the next few weeks, he plans to make himself available as his successor, David Karlunas, acclimates to his new role.

“I would stay on the job myself, but my knees won’t let me,” said Gresch.

, a resident of Nether Providence for 33 years, came out of retirement from the City of Chester Fire Department when he accepted the fire marshal role. Rising through the ranks from firefighter to lieutenant to captain to battalion chief over a 37-year career, he left the city in 2014.

He was a city kid when his interest in firefighting began, walking from his home on Rose Street to the Moyamensing Hook & Ladder Company where he was a junior firefighter assigned to the coffee wagon. When he turned 18, he became a full-fledged firefighter.

“Firefighting is in my blood,” Gresch said.

His years with Chester were a source of professional pride, and he made countless friends. The same is true for his time in Nether Providence, though his arrival was bumpy.

“At one point, you can probably say I was the most hated person in Nether Providence,” Gresch said, noting his commitment to restoring – and maintaining – the highest level of safety in the community.

As fire marshal, he was responsible for enforcing fire safety codes, investigating fires and conducing fire prevention programs.

“I know that I have made things safer for residents, and the kids, and that is very gratifying,” Gresch said.

Township Manager Maureen Feyas expressed sadness about Gresch’s retirement.

“Jack brought a deep passion and a wealth of knowledge to fire safety and emergency response. His dedication left a lasting mark on our township, and he will be greatly missed,” she said.

Gresch is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Lynn, making memories at their beach house in Ocean Sands Resorts and fishing in the back bays of Sea Isle City, New Jersey.