Born September 22, 1974, Mike was the youngest of three Bodo boys.  While growing up in the Roslyn section of Abington, Mike attended the Abington school district, eventually graduating as a ghost from Abington High School in 1993.  Following high school, Mike began working for a builder from Willow Grove.  Meanwhile, Mike attended night school at Eastern Votech, where he received electrical training.  Once certified, Mike began working as an electrician with an outfit out of Roslyn.  Recently, Mike has been working for the Plymouth Meeting Marriot as the Chief Engineer. In September of 2006 Mike married his longtime sweetheart Dena, and they currently live in the Dresher section of Upper Dublin.

While both of Mike’s brothers were extremely active in the Second Alarmers Ambulance Squad, eventually becoming life members, Mike was more interested in the fire aspect of emergency service providers.  Being that the Fort Washington Fire Company No.1 was the only fire company in the area that offered a junior firefighter program, Mike decided to join in October of 1990.  After his new member probation period expired, Mike became actively involved in the driver training program.   Once approved as a driver, it became apparent to his superiors that Mike’s mechanical knowledge, coupled with his interest in operating the fire apparatus, made him an excellent candidate for assistant engineer.  Mike served in this capacity for several years until then Chief Ed Hurt promoted him to the position of Lieutenant in 2002.  Shortly thereafter, in 2004, Mike was elevated to the rank of Captain.  Most recently, present Chief Brian Newhall has promoted Mike to the position of Battalion Chief.  As a battalion chief, Mike is tasked with overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Burn Brae station.

Bodo recalls that his first fire came as a junior when the company responded to a non commercial building fire in the North Hills section of the township.  Mike remembers seeing the smoke as they pulled out of the driveway at the Burn Brae station.  Mike’s most memorable fire was the Bridgeport fire in 2000, due to the length of the response run and the implementation of the large diameter hose task force.  Bodo’s favorite piece of apparatus was the old Mack CF, the last red truck possessed by the Fort Washington Fire Company No.1.

Mike’s love for the fire service is genuine.  His conviction is evident in his desire to teach and mold inexperienced firefighters into the highest quality emergency service providers in the area.  Mike continually organizes burn drills at the training grounds and is always searching for fresh ideas to keep the firefighters of the Fort Washington Fire Company No.1 on their toes.  Mike is an incredible asset to the Fort Washington Fire Company No.1 and we look forward to the future with such an innovative individual.

_______________________________

_______________________________