Albert J. Brown, former deputy fire chief

Albert J. Brown, 76, of Collegeville, who was passionate about fire prevention as a battalion chief in the Philadelphia Fire Department and later as a deputy fire chief in Lower Merion Township, died of pulmonary fibrosis Saturday, Sept. 15, at home.

Mr. Brown was a battalion chief for the last 11 years of his 28 years with the Philadelphia Fire Department. He then was deputy fire chief in Lower Merion until retiring in 2010.

He worked to improve building codes, fire-inspection programs, and community fire-prevention activities, according to Lower Merion Deputy Fire Marshal Frank Hand. He was behind the scenes ensuring firefighters' safety, Hand said, making sure building owners stabilized flooring and installed emergency lighting. He wanted to prevent fires, but if there was a fire, he wanted to be sure firefighters weren't going to be injured, Hand said.

As deputy chief, Mr. Brown hosted an annual fire-prevention luncheon with community leaders and business owners throughout the Main Line.

"Al was conscientious and gave a lot to two fire departments," Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said. While the two men served in the Philadelphia Fire Department at the same time for several years, Ayers said, he got to know Mr. Brown as deputy chief in Lower Merion when he shared information and fire-prevention initiatives with the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Mr. Brown grew up in Southwest Philadelphia and graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys. His father, was a Philadelphia firefighter who died after a heart attack on the job in 1954. Mr. Brown joined the Fire Department two years later at age 19. Mr. Brown spent most of his early career in West Philadelphia. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1964, to captain in 1968, and to battalion chief in 1973.

Stephen Brown said he and his father would often attend retiree luncheons at firehouses where his father served. "The stories the retirees shared were never about that big fire, but rather the jokes and the many pranks they pulled on each other," his son said. "My dad explained to me that back in his day, this was their posttraumatic stress debriefing, long before there was ever a term for it."

In 1957, Mr. Brown married Elizabeth Davis Brown. They raised six children in Southwest Philadelphia before moving to Collegeville in 1994.His life was about his faith, family, and firefighting. He would say he had 12 children because he included his sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, his son said.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Brown is survived by sons Albert and Michael; daughters Kathleen, Marybeth, and Susan; a brother; a sister; and 15 grandchildren.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, and from 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10, Wednesday, Sept. 19, at St. Eleanor Church, 647 Locust St., Collegeville. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.

Donations may be made to Camilla Hall, Immaculata, Pa. 19345.