fire department retirement speech fire department retirement speech

'It's a job where you can find the better part of yourself, if you're looking.'. "Fire seasons aren't getting smaller. The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content. served with the Chesterfield (Virginia) Fire & EMS Department for 26 years. Whether it was getting to all those projects that you never seemed to have time for or taking care of business for family and friends, your weekly schedule can fill up in a hurry. S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K _____ 6639 2023-2024 Regular Sessions I N A S S E M B L Y April 25, 2023 _____ Introduced by M. of A. PHEFFER AMATO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Employees AN ACT to amend the retirement and social security law, the education law and the administrative code of the Over the years, Schapelhouman said he found ways to see a little irony where he could, like the wordplay when the Menlo Park French restaurant Le Pot au Feu experienced its own fire. He played a pivotal role in creating Menlo Park's urban search and rescue team, and was called upon to respond to some of the worst national and international disasters of the past decades.He and his team responded to the Oklahoma City bombings in 1995, 9/11 in New York in 2001 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, among other disasters.Schapelhouman's daughter, now 21, was born just months after he returned from a trip abroad to provide search and rescue aid during the Chi Chi earthquake in Taiwan in 1999.Over time, Schapelhouman began to work more in the realm of fire prevention and advocacy. 719 Washington St. Sorry, but further commenting on this topic has been closed. This type of retirement speech allows for more time as you pour your heart out and express how the people around you have positively impacted your life over the years. Im proud of the accomplishments and improvements weve made in the department and I know Im leaving it in great condition., Client News, Fire News ceremony, Chief Kevin Partridge, Easton Fire Department, retirement. Menlo Park Fire Protection District Chief Harold Schapelhouman gives a speech at his retirement party at Station 1 on June 28, 2021. But the physical test was another story. The district board also had its own concrete step to commemorate Schapelhouman's legacy in the community. ctrc ted b. carwile. The music abruptly stopped, and all attention shifted to member of the honor guard, who slowly began to lower the American flag. He finally took on the role March 31, 2006, after he was told that if he didn't, the next chief would come from outside of the district. As we progress through the ranks, our circle of friends and colleagues shrinks. ""It does take on a rhythm," he said. Its a time to reflect on all the amazing moments experienced over the years and celebrate the future ahead. Though my time has come to an end, lets not forget why we are here tonight: remembering and celebrating all of you for all that you do in service to this community. Schapelhouman said he dropped the bag twice on his way up and was sure he would fail, until, finding an inner well of strength, he threw the bag up the last few stairs and jumped on top of it, with two seconds to spare. He had been passed over in his first effort to join the Los Altos firefighting staff and had recommitted himself to his college coursework. College Of Lake County Honors Student-Nominated Faculty Award Winners, Local Jobs: See Who's Hiring In The Lake Zurich Area, Man Accused Of Threatening Members Of Jewish Synagogue In Lake County, 2 New Homes For Sale In The Lake Zurich Area, Ravinia Festival Tickets Set To Go On Sale Exclusively Online. Meanwhile, those risks Schapelhouman was taking also had an impact on his home life, he said. I am confident that if Harold had the choice, he would have been working at the pile in Sunrise Florida rather than being at this retirement ceremony. "If you can't do that with compassion and forgiveness in your heart and the ability to move past people who aren't nice to you, then this isn't the job for you. He channeled lessons about detail orientation he'd picked up from his father and his accountant brother as a youth, and kept working at it, he said. Partridge closed the ceremony speaking about his history in the fire service and thanking his family and those who have helped him throughout his career, as well as the fire chiefs from around the region who attended. Copyright 2023 City of Covington, Kentucky | Web Design & Development by. They succeeded in safely evacuating every child from a 1997 fire at Green Oaks Academy in East Palo Alto despite extremely hazardous conditions, including a faulty fire alarm and no sprinkler system. Larry Shapiro photo. Schapelhouman was introduced later that night at the Oasis (a beloved Menlo Park watering hole that shuttered in 2018), and the two stayed in touch while she attended college in Santa Barbara. The bagpipe player walked away, continuing to play his music, as the fire engines headed out to answer the call. "What made me what I am is the people here and the calls here," he said.The district board also had its own concrete step to commemorate Schapelhouman's legacy in the community. Schapelhouman, then 20, needed some convincing. Most people don't want to admit this, but wardrobe management is not necessarily in our DNA. "I took that real hard. As firefighters, we know the value of conducting pre-plans for target hazards in our district and there's great value in applying that strategy to your second career. Schapelhouman said that he said no to the offer twice because he loved the work he was doing so much, traveling and pushing for policies and innovations that would help firefighters work more safely and effectively. At last weeks Board of Commissioners Legislative meeting on August 8, 2017, Covington Fire Department Captain Dan Frederick, Battalion Chief Seth Poston, He also thanked Eastons firefighters for their continued hard work and commitment to the community: The bottom line is that were all here to help the residents of Easton. WebWe also wish to express to Chief Alderson on behalf of the entire Fire Department our heartfelt and sincere thanks for a job well done and to wish him a long, healthy and In the aftermath of the Green Oaks Academy fire, he pushed legislators to mandate that automatic sprinkler systems and fire alarms be installed on school campuses. Whenever I see what is left of them today I tell them I learned "My Lesson" and thank you. .440 Police and fire department members in city of home rule class or urban-county government -- Qualifications -- Examination -- Tenure -- Reinstatement. Many members of the Whitman Fire Department came out yesterday to show their support, including incoming Fire Chief Timothy Clancy. Retirement Speech for My Firefighter Husband and Rolo Cigar Favors Monday, March 25, 2019byCathe Holden As the day drew near to the retirement dinner Don't miss out on the discussion! speeches were made about great victories, battles fought upon the open sea, raging storms weathered, and voyages to distant and strange lands with ports-of-call others only dreamed about. The restaurant's name means "pot on fire. Pitch Perfect Speeches for Every Audience with a 100% Money Back Guarantee, Air Force Enlisted Member Retirement Speech by Retiree. Another 40 years from now, he said, he's hoping the district will continue to adapt by gaining knowledge, technology and convenience through automation. Many of my fellow retirees have remarked how busy they became after they retired. He was left unable to walk and with only partial use of one hand. These relationships made coming to work each day a pleasure rather than a chore. I was able to do that. I would like to thank the commissioners, past and present, for all their support throughout the years and for what they do to keep this Department moving forward and outfitted. Published: April 15, 2023 at 8:37 a.m. All rights reserved. "The most satisfied retirees tended to be those who planned for their retirement several years in advance." Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman at the Menlo Park Fire Protection District emergency command center, September 2011. united states navy. He spent time after high school working in commercial construction, and he credits that work for not just helping him to build fitness, but to develop an instinctual understanding of buildings, a skill that would set him apart later in a field dedicated to saving structures and their inhabitants during disasters. "What made me what I am is the people here and the calls here," he said. My gratitude extends beyond words as I am leaving behind something thats defined me for over XX years. He said he ran right into labor disputes and contract disagreements. As is tradition, one by one the vehicles drove through the departments parking lot as Chief Partridge waved to his fellow chiefs and well wishers. He served with the Swansea Fire Department, Berkley Fire & Rescue and Avon Fire Department before becoming chief in Easton in 2012. Over time that equals hours, then days, then weeks that you spend doing nothing but thinking about what shirt to wear. When you need help, turn to the award-winning team at the John Guilfoil Public Relations Agency. Understand The Difference Between Resigning And Taking Early Retirement, Understanding the 5 Emotional Stages of Retirement and How to Deal With Them. Embarcadero Media file photo by Michelle Le. Our fellow firefighters became our second family; truth be known, we spent more time with that family than we did with our spouses and children. 2023 Palo Alto Online. With every challenge you face, there will always be someone new at your side willing to help you move mountains if you need it. Being a fire officer also means that you probably had some significant roles and responsibilities managing people, physical resources and budgets. But this department has a great tradition, the fire prevention, and, again, it's not me coming from Washington to tell you that. After a lifetime of hard work and dedication, retirement is a big milestone in life. He was also presented with a commemorative plaque with an American flag and a firefighters axe attached by Healey and Mills. It can also make for an excellent written piece for a retirement card or email greeting. The higher the rank, the greater the sense of loss of friendships, prestige and self-esteem. If you go into another field of work after retirement that requires real clothes not one of the 100 polo shirts you accumulated over your fire service career you can spend more than a few minutes each day finding matching clothes. I thank you and appreciate everything weve done together. The chief of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, who retired late last month after a 40-year career, was a student when his fellow firefighters in training at the Los Put together a party itinerary for activities and catering, then talk to a few key people about giving planned toasts to the retiring firefighter who is being honored. He and his team responded to the Oklahoma City bombings in 1995, 9/11 in New York in 2001 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, among other disasters. He and his colleagues found and rescued an abandoned newborn from a dryer near Whiskey Gulch and named him Walter Millschap, a portmanteau of their names.They succeeded in safely evacuating every child from a 1997 fire at Green Oaks Academy in East Palo Alto despite extremely hazardous conditions, including a faulty fire alarm and no sprinkler system. It had five grueling challenges, and to be considered for the district, each candidate had to complete all five. Promotions Main Office On his third day back at work, Menlo Park Fire Protection District Chief Harold Schapelhouman leaves Interim Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Belville's office for a board meeting on Jan. 9, 2014. Like most people, you may find crafting a retirement speech daunting. We spent countless hours brainstorming ideas and building projects together, often coming up with solutions for problems we thought would never be solved. Hostage situations.And, in the 1980s, there were many difficult calls due to the heroin epidemic and high crime rates, yielding a grim and repeating rhythm of "shooting, stabbing, assault, overdose," Schapelhouman said.There were also challenging calls that came from scientific laboratory sites like Raychem and SRI, he said. The chief of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, who retired late last month after a 40-year career, was a student when his fellow firefighters in training at the Los Altos Fire Department woke him in the middle of the night and asked him to join them in taking the test for the district. He was cognizant that he only had a few years left until he could be fully vested in the district's pension system and didn't want to get fired or become a "casualty" of the district's board.He finally took on the role March 31, 2006, after he was told that if he didn't, the next chief would come from outside of the district. "Fire seasons aren't getting smaller. Since she began working with Embarcadero Media in 2015, she's reported on everything from Menlo Park's City Hall politics to Mountain View's education system. Last call. 6) Pre-Arrange Speeches and Toasts. Retiring Member Radio Announcement: All Companies stand by for a city-wide broadcast (All Call {1 Alarm} tone followed by Firehouse 6 tones.) WebJ860. But also, it will be exciting to transition into a less demanding lifestyle. It had five grueling challenges, and to be considered for the district, each candidate had to complete all five. To ensure your address resonates with your audience, you should outline it properly before delivering it. Funny Retirement Speech 4. Eastons been a wonderful place to work and Ive been honored to have led this great department, Partridge said during his speech at Wednesdays event. About nine months after the injury, he resumed the role of chief, this time from a wheelchair.Coming back wasn't easy, he said. "I almost quit about six months in. David Stollman, chairman of the Lake County Board read a proclamation saluting Mastandreas career. But please dont envy my new freedom. Firefighter Retirement Awards - Tip and Suggestions. He is outspoken on any issue where there is a threat to our community even when doing so was not politically correct. It was always much easier to shop, make doctor appointments, schedule vacations and the like when weekday hours were fully in play. While we're on the job many firefighters and officer might gripe about some of the calls that we respond to, especially those that we felt didn't need the fire department. Lexipol. "After he returned, he said he helped to come up with a five-year agreement with the district's union that provided stability to the organization among other initiatives he's led since returning to the department after his injury. At one point he received a vote of no confidence, which he said was "breathtakingly disappointing.". The others passed on, far too many, not long after retiring, we buried them, folded a flag for the family and placed a gold star on their picture in the Union Hall. Thank you all for your encouragement and friendship I will never forget it. The fire truck museum at the district's newly rebuilt Oak Grove Avenue site will bear his name. "They gave it the best college try they could give it, but he didn't make it," he said. WebFire Fighter Retirement Speech by Colleague. 781-428-3299. He still remembers graphic details from the first death he witnessed on the job, of a man involved in a motorcycle accident on Constitution Drive. Then once we were in, we immersed ourselves in the fire service culture. At one point, a fight broke out, after which Menlo Park firefighters insisted that nobody could save spots in line. Volunteer firefighter Mark Bezosalso a senior H6 Radio Straps Decon Comfort Functionality, If you think it is hard to get into the fire service, wait until you try to get out; here are things you can do now to navigate that end-of-career change. I'm not saying you get there overnight, but in the end, it's the reason the fire service is the most trusted profession.". People indicated when I put in my retirement letter that there would be some big shoes to fill; I want to assure Dave that those shoes arent as big as people think they are, Mastandrea said. The fire department will assign an administrator to communicate the guidelines and options. After she returned, single, they began dating and later married.Over the years, Schapelhouman said he found ways to see a little irony where he could, like the wordplay when the Menlo Park French restaurant Le Pot au Feu experienced its own fire. ET "Can you do that?" We can save people I would have said in the past we would have lost. Photo by Daniela Beltran B. Copyright 2023 FireRescue1. Home He passed the other physical assessments and joined the district in June 1981, beginning his long career with the district that culminated with his retirement June 30 after 40 years of service, the last 15 of which he spent as the district's chief. Sports Im excited to travel, catch up with old friends, and find a few part-time projects where I can share my hundred years of experience. Congratulations on your career as a fireman and have a fantastic retirement I am immensely proud of the career youve had as a fireman. Like any other written work, your retirement speech should have a narrative that walks through the main points clearly and concisely. Sleepily, he went with his friends to stand in line at the station near St. Patrick's Seminary to take the test. "We almost died that night," he recalled. Woman charged for fatal wrong-way crash on I-280 last weekend, Foothill-De Anza names four finalists to be next chancellor, Around Town: Palo Alto gets ready to celebrate 99th annual May Fete Parade, Take a look back at April with our month-end local news quiz, Special-education classrooms destroyed in possible arson at Cubberley Community Center, "They gave it the best college try they could give it, but he didn't make it," he said. Partridge retired in October 2020 after a 36-year career in fire service. She had come to see one of the district's exhibitions with one of the district's administrators. Begin early in your firefighting career and focus on your career expectations, long-range financial plans, and the importance of developing a career and retirement plan in general. Captain Frederick, a member of the Covington Fire Department since 1993 and a firefighter since 1982, delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting on his career. 2 With becoming a chief over 20 years ago Ive had the honor of working with many different fire chiefs and that is one of the things Ill cherish, Partridge said. WebEstablished in 1983, the Volunteer Firefighters Retirement Act applies to volunteer non-salaried firefighters who: Are listed as an active member on the rolls of a fire department, and; Whose first year of service credit was earned during or Thank you for everything you have done for us! Chief Avsec earned his bachelors degree from the University of Cincinnati and his masters degree in executive fire service leadership from Grand Canyon University. A heartfelt or serious retirement speech is perfect for those who have put their life and heart into their career. Shortly after, I was hired, then in the door came, Nick, Chris, and Seth. In a brief speech given at the annual appreciation banquet in March, he shared He was left unable to walk and with only partial use of one hand. The fall In May 2013, about seven years into his tenure as chief and after escaping unscathed from so many high-risk rescue situations, Schapelhouman was struck with a life-changing injury in his own backyard.He fell off a ladder while trimming bushes and suffered paralyzing spinal cord injuries and a traumatic brain injury. "Every single day you've got to do the job, whether your body's cooperating or not cooperating. After 40 years in the field, Schapelhouman said he's proud of the financial direction the district as well, over the course of his career seeing a transition from firefighters being equipped with substandard gear to top-of-the-line technology, including an ambitious drone program, earthquake warning systems and thermal imaging equipment. The district had agreed to let in 100 people, first come, first served, and while in line, the friends were alarmed to see their positions grow farther and farther back as people arrived and cut in with friends who'd been saving them spots. Connecting with others in a relatable way is the key to building relationships and fostering a positive work environment, and [name] was a master at that, among other things. Partridge was honored with a citation each from the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Massachusetts State Senate in recognition of his dedication and years of service, as well as a plaque from the Easton Select Board and framed recognition letter from State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The Green Oaks Family Academy Elementary School Fire Protection Act became law in 2002, but Schapelhouman expressed disappointment that the legislation didn't cover existing school campuses, just new ones.He pushed for other common-sense measures from local agencies like for the district's emergency response vehicles to be exempted from FasTrak fees and fines when crossing the Dumbarton Bridge during emergency responses.Through it all, he worked at mastering the art of staying professional through the trauma by seeking to do justice to the grand calling of firefighting, many people's last line of defense in the face of grave danger. I bid farewell to this great organization thats played such a meaningful role in my life. Its difficult to put into words just how much this moment means to me. "Somebody has to go out and do the patient care.". The biggest blessing must be my meaningful collaborations with some of my favorite coworkers over the years. 1. Things were going well with his search and rescue work and legislative advocacy when he was tapped to become the next fire chief.