fire department retirement speech

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. He was an instructor for fire, EMSand hazardous materials courses at the local, state and federal levels, which included more than 10 years with the National Fire Academy. Sleepily, he went with his friends to stand in line at the station near St. Patrick's Seminary to take the test. All rights reserved. Last call. Sorry, but further commenting on this topic has been closed. A photograph of a printed image of Menlo Park Fire Protection District Chief Harold Schapelhouman in his early days at the fire department, taken during his retirement party at Station 1 in Menlo Park on June 28, 2021. Harold Schapelhouman almost didn't become a Menlo Park firefighter. Embarcadero Media file photo by Michelle Le. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, Chief shares details about Calif. firefighters' strip club scandal, I cant breathe: Patient dies after 5 Calif. FF-medics violate policy, Fla. FF files complaint over photo of chief with 'Hitler-style mustache' giving Nazi salute on duty, Video: 6 DCFEMS members placed on leave after physical fight on scene, , "Successful Transformational Change in a Fire and EMS Department: How a Focused Team Created a Revenue Recovery Program in Six Months, Open the tools menu in your browser. Advertising Info Menlo Park Fire Protection District Chief Harold Schapelhouman at his retirement party at Station 1 in Menlo Park on June 28, 2021. Blogs Your health and wellness moves up on your list of life's priorities. It had five grueling challenges, and to be considered for the district, each candidate had to complete all five. Giving a Farewell Speech at Work (With Examples and Many of my fellow retirees have remarked how busy they became after they retired. "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. 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. He has served our community both here and throughout the nation in responding to many disasters including Oklahoma City, World Trade Center, the Columbia Space Shuttle recovery and too many hurricanes to count. "It messed me up for a while," he said. NY Senate Resolution | NY State Senate The term divorce is an apt description, despite it being an amiable one. We can save people I would have said in the past we would have lost.". 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. That transition, he said, "has been a huge evolution in patient care. 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. If you need help getting started with your goodbyes, here are some examples of retirement speeches by the retiree (and an employee speech) to help you craft the perfect address: This type of speech is the most common and is often sentimental. What an amazing person! Today, we are marking the retirement of (insert name), 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. Northern New England 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. Being light-hearted at the end of ones career is a graceful but uplifting way to bid farewell. 45 Best Firefighter Retirement Quotes For Firefighters Copyright 2023 FireRescue1. 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. 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 "The most satisfied retirees tended to be those who planned for their retirement several years in advance.". Thank you for everything you have done for us! It was always much easier to shop, make doctor appointments, schedule vacations and the like when weekday hours were fully in play. Sign up for the Peninsula Foodist newsletter. Embarcadero Media file photo by Michelle Le. 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. 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. Look no further if youre stuck and need some ideas or inspiration. Everyone's responses to the above will be different, but the one key for everyone is to plan for your retirement early in your career. The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content. "Somebody has to do the dirty work," he said. But please dont envy my new freedom. Electronics Recycling Event for Earth Day, Volo Museum Titanic tribute opens April 14. These fire fighters retirement speeches convey light-hearted and warm retirement wishes and end with appropriate RETIREMENT 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. It can also make for an excellent written piece for a retirement card or email greeting. Fire Fighter Retirement Speech by Colleague iSpeeches.com The restaurant's name means "pot on fire. Marc Kalbaugh retired from the Hauser Lake Volunteer Fire Department in 2019. "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. 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. "We were given the "Opportunity," we so badly wanted. Copyright 2023 You have to understand that 25 years ago Covington was a different city, and it will evolve over the next 25 years to become whatever it's meant to be and the proud serving members of the Fire, Police, and Public Works will continue to see those changes through. It may take a few drafts to get it right, but the effort will be worth it. Retirement from a life-long career can be a stressful event, regardless of the field. To ensure your address resonates with your audience, you should outline it properly before delivering it. WebFire Fighter Retirement Speech by Colleague. Suddenly, that second family will be nowhere to be found. It was an emotional and poignant send-off for retiring Lake Zurich Fire Chief Terry Mastandrea on July 15. Don't miss out on the discussion! served with the Chesterfield (Virginia) Fire & EMS Department for 26 years. Firefighter Retirement Speech | Speechwriters.com Today, I have many mixed emotions. Vickery's Retirement Speech The Gods were incensed and Prometheus was sentenced to be bound to a rock to eternal torment for his transgression where each day an eagle would feast on his liver only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day. This article, originally published on March 3, 2015, had been updated. 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. Branding presented the flag to Mastandrea, commemorating his 21 years of service as village fire chief. It had five grueling challenges, and to be considered for the district, each candidate had to complete all five. 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. 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. Embarcadero Media This is an inspiring story and a wonderful example of what it means to dedicate one's life to serving the community. Last Alarm Foundation | Honoring the Departed Firefighter "The primary determinant of a successful and satisfying retirement appeared to be directly related to the level of planning that went into it," he wrote. "I took that real hard.". 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 If you have any But the physical test was another story. for. 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. Menlo Park Fire Protection District Chief Harold Schapelhouman gives a speech at his retirement party at Station 1 on June 28, 2021. Spotlight But if you follow the above guidelines and model after some of the example speeches, you can deliver a thoughtful talk filled with warmth, humor, and gratitude. About nine months after the injury, he resumed the role of chief, this time from a wheelchair.Coming back wasn't easy, he said. Awards For Retired Firemen Chief Avsec earned his bachelors degree from the University of Cincinnati and his masters degree in executive fire service leadership from Grand Canyon University. 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. But I also look forward to embracing new challenges and experiences on my new journey ahead. She had come to see one of the district's exhibitions with one of the district's administrators. 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. Coming back wasn't easy, he said. Heartfelt/Serious Print Edition/Archives 4. Expand on your ideas with the right tone. They ceremoniously folded it and presented it to Mayor Suzanne Branding, who stood nearby. 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. 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. And Im saying goodbye to the most supportive and incredible colleagues. 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. Years from now, my fleeting memories will be filled with the experiences that had the greatest impacts on my life. Jason McKenna was promoted to Battalion Chief. 2023 Palo Alto Online. Two engines carrying seven personnel from Fire Station No. As the bagpipe music continued, the fire department doors opened and an honor guard filed out. 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 Use these pointers as a checklist that you can refer to when putting together your retirement speech. The sense of satisfaction and accomplishment was always worth it in the end! 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. The district was known for firing people regularly and often, he said.The traumas of his job early on almost deterred him from the field, he said. Speech 'It's a job where you can find the better part of yourself, if you're looking.'. We were not Chiefs, or Officers or Engineers, we were just new Firefighters starting our path in life as the rest of our generation trickled in, adding a few every couple months. After Decades of Service to New Yorkers, Fire Commissioner 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. 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. 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." They're getting bigger, and I worry about firefighter safety," he said.Another 40 years from now, he said, he's hoping the district will continue to adapt by gaining knowledge, technology and convenience through automation.But there still will be fires, and there will continue to be firefighters. Many retirement speeches happen in spaces where we need to be brief, such as a Zoom meeting or other virtual space. He was also presented with a commemorative plaque with an American flag and a firefighters axe attached by Healey and Mills. He had been passed over in his first effort to join the Los Altos firefighting staff and had recommitted himself to his college coursework. WebJ860. 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. Shortly after, I was hired, then in the door came, Nick, Chris, and Seth. As a fellow firefighter and now as a citizen and member of this community, I would like to take this opportunity to say, thank you for what you do. They're getting bigger, and I worry about firefighter safety," he said. "Somebody has to do the dirty work," he said. united states navy. 781-428-3299. Or enter your email address here to subscribe for ALL updates from JGPR and our clients. 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. "It's a job where you can find the better part of yourself, if you're looking," he said. But it's hard to beat the sense of satisfaction that comes after you and your crew handled the difficult fire or motor vehicle crash or complicated rescue. Thank you all for your encouragement and friendship I will never forget it. Larry 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.Over the years, Schapelhouman kept working in his chosen field, developing a specialty in urban search and rescue operations. 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. 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. 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. Hostage situations. Each speaker talked about Partridges many contributions to the Easton Fire Department throughout the years and their personal connections with him. Menlo Park Fire Protection District Chief Harold Schapelhouman in his office on this third day back at work, Jan. 9, 2014. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Mobile site. 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. Following the parade, a ceremony took place with several speakers to honor Partridge. Partridge retired in October 2020 after a 36-year career in fire service. 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 recalled asking. Projects around the home that Ive masterfully avoided with But Ive gotta work excuses are already on a list taped to the fridge. NY State Assembly Bill A6639 Kentucky 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. Vitas also quietly spoke to Mastandrea as bystanders looked on. His family lived in Mountain View and Los Altos, and as an adult, he lived in Sunnyvale and Fremont before settling in San Jose's Willow Glen neighborhood, he said. Volunteer 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. 6) Pre-Arrange Speeches and Toasts. In a brief speech given at the annual appreciation banquet in March, he shared In his research, Bates found that 95.7 percent of his survey's participants felt that their retirement was successful. With careful consideration, youll be able to deliver a heartfelt address that celebrates all the successes and memories of your time at the organization. He said he ran right into labor disputes and contract disagreements. I am thankful for the opportunities Ive enjoyed here to make a difference by working diligently on staff development initiatives, fundraising efforts, and day-to-day operations. 3. Ceremonious Send-Off For Retiring Fire Chief Terry Mastandrea Firefighter Funerals: Traditions & What to Expect | Cake Remarks at Bloomington Fire Department Awards I leave the fire service going to a different chapter. - Andrew Bernstein. 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. Speech The higher the rank, the greater the sense of loss of friendships, prestige and self-esteem. 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. 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. When you need help, turn to the award-winning team at the John Guilfoil Public Relations Agency. 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. Enjoy your retirement, Chief Schapelhouman! Emotions were high during a speech by Interim fire Chief Kenny Cordonnier as he reminisced about his time with recently retired Fire Chief Mike Dalsing. Consider these retirement target hazards and pre-plan accordingly. Captain Frederick, a member of the Covington Fire Department since 1993 and a firefighter since 1982, delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting on his career. Thank you all for everything. This is particularly true for men, as research has demonstrated that lasting male relationships are closely connected with their work. A Great Speech: A Firefighters Plea To Think Small Can you move an audience to action in just four minutes? Like any other written work, your retirement speech should have a narrative that walks through the main points clearly and concisely. [Name] has worked at this company for [number] years and has been an integral part of its success. A&E All rights reserved. I thank you and appreciate everything weve done together. 719 Washington St. 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. The fire truck museum at the district's newly rebuilt Oak Grove Avenue site will bear his name. Speakers from the fire service included State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey, Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association President and Taunton Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw, Easton Fire Deputy Chief Jon Carroll and Easton Firefighters Local 2790 President Jason Healey and Vice President Chris Mills. "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. Uploaded: Sun, Jul 11, 2021, 8:29 am 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. Sleepily, he went with his friends to stand in line at the station near St. Patrick's Seminary to take the test. Copyright 2023 "They gave it the best college try they could give it, but he didn't make it," he said. But life goes on and while Im grateful for the wonderful memories with all of you, I also look forward to new challenges ahead. You know you're going into a fire driven building, but you're not just firefighters. This is a real chance for you to shine and to pay tribute to comradeship.Having shared so much over the years youll want a professionally written fire fighter retirement speech by colleague that covers all the bases and that is exactly what you will get. Kate Bradshaw writes for The Almanac, a sister publication of PaloAltoOnline.com. Speech Just think, If Prometheus is worthy of the wrath of heaven for kindling the first fire upon earth, how ought all the gods to honor the men/women who make it their professional business to put it out! (~John G. Saxe, quoted in George C. Hale, History of the Worlds Greatest Fires, 1905). 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. Whenever I see what is left of them today I tell them I learned "My Lesson" and thank you. With that said, I will miss all of you and wish you and (name of company) continued success. The most important was the City of Covington sleeps.from 5:24 a.m. to 5:27 a.m., Tuesday's, in Spring, every other year, when its 68 Degrees and relative low humidity. It can also be a difficult adjustment for your spouse and family as well; as my wife still tells me from time to time, "You're not the chief anymore." Schapelhouman, then 20, needed some convincing. Lexipol. 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. I will look back at my time in the fire service and smile knowing that my service was meaningful. "We got as close to 60 kids getting incinerated that day as you can get," he said. The Almanac Government entity. Marc Kalbaugh served with the Hauser Lake Fire Department from 2008 to 2019. 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. Lexipol. Every department is different, but the common denominator is the people who go out there and do the job. The farewell celebration took place at Easton Fire Station 3. Promotions If youre looking for a reason to volunteer, for anything, no matter what it is, or for how long, think of the impacts youll have on yourself and the people you serve for and with. Yes fellow fire wives you can survive You deserve it! A portable fire department bell is then tolled by another member. 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. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Chelmsford Police Department Welcomes Two New Officers, Andover Fire Rescue Welcomes Two New Members from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, Concord Police and Fire Departments Respond to Crash into Assabet River, Acton Police Department Places Officer on Administrative Leave Following Arrest, Town of Ipswich Receives Metropolitan Area Planning Council Technical Assistance Grant. "The most satisfied retirees tended to be those who planned for their retirement several years in advance." Obituaries Today is a day that we can be very sad at saying goodbye, but instead think of smiling for having Chief Mastandrea for 21 years, and werent we fortunate to have him, said Branding.

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