fire department retirement speech

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. He also thanked the families of the firefighters, the community and the City of Covington for their support and the opportunity to serve. The Fire Service is not just a job or just a profession but rather it is a Calling. He brought in attorneys to push for his return to the chief position, and took steps to ensure he could still do the job well, like finding specialists to evaluate him and securing the right adaptive equipment. I worked extremely hard. "Meanwhile, those risks Schapelhouman was taking also had an impact on his home life, he said.At one point, he said, he and his wife had a serious conversation. Not unlike a colorful family, weve had our share of laughs and disagreements, but ultimately we have always come together to get the job done. This is an inspiring story and a wonderful example of what it means to dedicate one's life to serving the community. Opportunity is first, to start that first day of drill school, be given a chance to show what you have learned, and prove, what you can do with that knowledge, an opportunity to make the difference in someone's life, most likely on the worst day of theirs, to be the Company's Front Firefighter on the nozzle of a good hot building on fire, putting it out and being able to say, " We did that." What an amazing person! Most firefighters I've ever had the pleasure to know have worked hard to get their first job. 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. This strategy allows you to focus efficiently on most of your speech and brainstorm ideas for a strong opening. But there still will be fires, and there will continue to be firefighters. If they have not, then they retire at whatever age past 57 when they reach that 20-year market. There had been turnover in the chief position and in the previous 21 years, nobody from within the department had been selected as chief, he said. Canton, MA 02021 A firefighter responds to alarms on duty and this ceremony is a reminder of their sacrifice. He eventually joined the fire class in Sunnyvale because it paid the best among local agencies, and it was there he fell in love with the art of fighting fire, he said.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.When he first found his way to the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, which serves the communities of Menlo Park, Atherton, East Palo Alto and unincorporated areas including North Fair Oaks, it had what he described as a paramilitary culture.It wasn't an easy job, and there were plenty of dangers and lots of internal pressures within the department. I received support from all of you.. Contact Us Blogs FireRescue1 is revolutionizing the way the fire service community I'm not saying you get there overnight, but in the end, it's the reason the fire service is the most trusted profession.". We can save people I would have said in the past we would have lost. David Stollman, chairman of the Lake County Board read a proclamation saluting Mastandreas career. ET. About nine months after the injury, he resumed the role of chief, this time from a wheelchair. Essentially working 24/7, 365 days a year, means sleepless nights and missed meals, taking time away from your own families and their needs to meet the needs of others. Stay up-to-date with breaking JGPR client news. They ceremoniously folded it and presented it to Mayor Suzanne Branding, who stood nearby. Help sustain the local news you depend on. As the bagpipe music continued, the fire department doors opened and an honor guard filed out. He has remained with the department on an interim basis which concluded Wednesday. Larry Shapiro photo. "The job essentially is bigger than any of us the responsibility to protect the community and serve the community," he said. Looking aheadAfter 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. They are tried, tested and ready to use. "I took that real hard. This is particularly true for men, as research has demonstrated that lasting male relationships are closely connected with their work. With that said, I will miss all of you and wish you and (name of company) continued success. Sleepily, he went with his friends to stand in line at the station near St. Patrick's Seminary to take the test. About nine months after the injury, he resumed the role of chief, this time from a wheelchair.Coming back wasn't easy, he said. You have that Today, we celebrate and recognize someone exceptional who has made an invaluable difference in our organization. 1 prepared to leave. 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. "Somebody has to do the dirty work," he said. 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. WebJ860. Build All rights reserved. Suddenly, that second family will be nowhere to be found. I was able to do that. Then once we were in, we immersed ourselves in the fire service culture. Its been an amazing journey here at this company, and I am grateful for everyone who helped me grow while putting up with my occasional growing pains. 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. 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. It will feel a lot like the first job I had in high school, fixing up old appliances and cleaning bathrooms, but with even less pay! Being a fire officer also means that you probably had some significant roles and responsibilities managing people, physical resources and budgets. If you have any Visitor Info, Send News Tips Our amazing team accomplished so much in the years Ive been here, and Im proud to have played a part in our success. And the unsung heroes behind every firefighter are her/his family who patiently waited for them to return from extra shifts and long deployments and who supported them every step of the way. 719 Washington St. After XX years of dedicated service, Im finally ready to take on my next journey. "We almost died that night," he recalled. Northern New England Thank you for everything you have done for us! Plus, Schapelhouman admits to having a workaholic streak. He said he ran right into labor disputes and contract disagreements. The hardest was a timed test that required carrying more than 120 pounds of equipment up a training tower, and many strong-looking candidates were failing. *Click here to watch a video of the Chiefs car parade on Wednesday, May 12.*. View all posts by Hauser Lake FPD. Battalion Chief Robert Avsec (ret.) They may be downloaded instantly when you place your order. It takes a special kind of courage to go into a burning building and save lives. 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. It really has been my honor to serve with all of you and to serve this community. Nothing says you've moved into the second half of life's football game like retirement. He has held almost every rank in the Fire District and held each with distinction. When I first started my career, I never imagined all the wonderful memories and relationships that would come with it. All rights reserved. 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. Salutes were given by all fire department personnel in attendance, which included not only Lake Zurich firefighters, but also representatives of many departments from Buffalo Grove to Skokie. And then there were the regular house fires with their own complexities, like when two overlapping roofs at a house on Altschul Avenue created a hidden fire, causing the roof to collapse immediately after a new fire chief had commanded him to step away. Wheelock waspresented witha boys size 11 patent leather shoe, and the celebration then moved on to a local restaurant to continue to honor the chiefs long and committed career. interacts online and researches product purchases Retirement Speech for My Firefighter Husband and Rolo Cigar Favors Monday, March 25, 2019byCathe Holden As the day drew near to the retirement dinner The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content. My goal and the mission is that our job is to leave things in a better place than we started, and we are in a much better place, giving great service to our residents, Mastandrea said. Harold Schapelhouman almost didn't become a Menlo Park firefighter. Like any other written work, your retirement speech should have a narrative that walks through the main points clearly and concisely. Editors note: Check back with Patch for more video from the Walk-Out Ceremony.. As firefighters, we know the value of conducting 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. Every department is different, but the common denominator is the people who go out there and do the job.. Promptly at 4 p.m., the sound of bagpipes filled the air around Fire Station No. Your health and wellness moves up on your list of life's priorities. Home & Real Estate 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. These fire fighters retirement speeches convey light-hearted and warm retirement wishes and end with appropriate In a brief speech given at the annual appreciation banquet in March, he shared 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. 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. But I also look forward to embracing new challenges and experiences on my new journey ahead. 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. Become a member today. Another 40 years from now, he said, he's hoping the district will continue to adapt by gaining knowledge, technology and convenience through automation. The restaurant's name means "pot on fire.". ""It does take on a rhythm," he said. He credits the community and the staff of the district for shaping his life in a profound way. He is a 2001 graduate of the National Fire Academy's EFO Program. Harold Schapelhouman almost didn't become a Menlo Park firefighter.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.Schapelhouman, then 20, needed some convincing. Mountain View Voice Hauser Lake Fire Chief Transition in theNews, Hauser Welcomes New Fire Chief and Other News for Hauser LakeResidents, Parting Words from a VolunteerFirefighter. 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. Georgetown, MA 01833 During their time here, they have gone above and beyond in every task and project they were involved with, delivering results consistently and serving as a role model of integrity and professionalism for all of us. 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 Here are a few things that you can expect to experience once you hang up your turnout gear for the last time. It was an emotional and poignant send-off for retiring Lake Zurich Fire Chief Terry Mastandrea on July 15. Pitch Perfect Speeches for Every Audience with a 100% Money Back Guarantee, Air Force Enlisted Member Retirement Speech by Retiree. After some personal words from the mayor, not audible to the crowd, Administrator Bob Vitas then approached Mastandrea to present him with his fire helmet. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. He has helped make the Fire District one of the most innovative in the Nation and he was one of the key players in the creation of the National Urban Search and Rescue Teams. Two engines carrying seven personnel from Fire Station No. A short retirement speech will allow you to be concise and still convey your message. Embarcadero Media But there were victories too. Suicides witnessed and responded to. HONORING Chief James Schrammel upon the occasion. 1 and the traditional walk-out ceremony began. It was around that time that he stepped back from medic training to focus on search and rescue work and work toward more management-focused roles. A call intended to blow up firefighters with propane bombs, in which the bombs miraculously did not explode. 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. After a lifetime of hard work and dedication, retirement is a big milestone in life. To ensure your address resonates with your audience, you should outline it properly before delivering it. Retirement offers a whole new set of opportunities to explore, and I am excited to take them all on with the same passion and enthusiasm I had when I started working here. he was told.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.The Almanac sat down with him on his last day to hear his reflections on a career spent dedicated to protecting and rescuing community members in their times of gravest need.Schapelhouman was born in Canada, and his family moved to Barron Park in Palo Alto when he was about 3 years old. Enjoy your retirement, Chief Schapelhouman! As officers, we learn to maintain that delicate balance between being friendly on the job with firefighters and junior officers and lapsing into friendships that can be detrimental to the good of the order. Vitas also quietly spoke to Mastandrea as bystanders looked on. Branding presented the flag to Mastandrea, commemorating his 21 years of service as village fire chief. "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 recalled responding to a call at an SRI building that wasn't marked from the outside, but inside had signage indicating the presence of radioactive materials. 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Email info@jgpr.net if you wish to be placed on a SPECIFIC email list for your beat, agency or community. 2023 Palo Alto Online. They are the life force of who we are as an organization, and without the strong support Ive received from my colleagues, it would have been impossible for me to stand here today. But life goes on and while Im grateful for the wonderful memories with all of you, I also look forward to new challenges ahead. Then, showing the true commitment offirefighters, the fire radiosounded reportinga two alarm-fire in Deer Park. When you need help, turn to the award-winning team at the John Guilfoil Public Relations Agency. Speech Synthesis Software Market 2023 Dynamics, Major Players, SWOT Analysis, and Business Forecast to 2030 MRI Published: April 12, 2023 at 12:42 a.m. Many retirement speeches happen in spaces where we need to be brief, such as a Zoom meeting or other virtual space. On a more genuine note, I will certainly miss all of you and our great work here. A hero has faced it all: he need not be undefeated, but he must be undaunted.. The fire truck museum at the district's newly rebuilt Oak Grove Avenue site will bear his name. Sorry, but further commenting on this topic has been closed. Every day has been rewarding in its own way, but today is an especially bittersweet occasion as I bid farewell to all my colleagues and look ahead to the future. Retirement from a life-long career can be a stressful event, regardless of the field. "We were given the "Opportunity," we so badly wanted. Or enter your email address here to subscribe for ALL updates from JGPR and our clients. As I enter the legacy phase of my life, I do so humbly and gratefully, taking the invaluable lessons I have learned here and sharing them with others. Place a Legal Notice The bagpipe player walked away, continuing to play his music, as the fire engines headed out to answer the call. Schapelhouman, then 20, needed some convincing. Captain Frederick, a member of the Covington Fire Department since 1993 and a firefighter since 1982, delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting on his career. 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. Fire protection district in Hauser, Idaho. So please join me in wishing [name] the best as they enter this exciting next phase of life. So begin your celebration by expressing your heartfelt appreciation to your team and excitement for the next phase of life. 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. "It was a real privilege to come back and prove I can do the job, and be able to do it and do it well," he said. The higher the rank, the greater the sense of loss of friendships, prestige and self-esteem. Little did I know that while accomplishing the tasks at hand, I was also gaining something much more valuable friendships with people who have become like family to me. The biggest blessing must be my meaningful collaborations with some of my favorite coworkers over the years. "Can you do that?" Understand The Difference Between Resigning And Taking Early Retirement, Understanding the 5 Emotional Stages of Retirement and How to Deal With Them. Community Calendar The fire truck museum at the district's newly rebuilt Oak Grove Avenue site will bear his name. Retirement speech for an employee Not every day is as special and a truly emotional occasion like this one. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, Thank you for your camaraderie and support throughout these years. 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. Whenever I see what is left of them today I tell them I learned "My Lesson" and thank you. The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content. The speakers included many local and state officials, including Town Administrator Connor Read, State Rep. and Majority Leader Claire Cronin, State Sen. Walter Timilty, State Sen. Michael Brady, State Rep. Carol Doherty, Easton Select Board Chair Dottie Fulginiti and Easton Police and Fire Service Medical Director Dr. Hank Crowley. 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. It's tough to find that kind of satisfaction working in the non-fire service world. Being light-hearted at the end of ones career is a graceful but uplifting way to bid farewell. You can't take it personally or you're going to be a basket case. I detailed a decent rant for you all, At least age 55 with 25 or more years of service you will receive $250 per month. Experiences like that were especially scary because the responders didn't know what hazardous chemicals they might have been exposed to.And then there were the regular house fires with their own complexities, like when two overlapping roofs at a house on Altschul Avenue created a hidden fire, causing the roof to collapse immediately after a new fire chief had commanded him to step away.

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