HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-01-14, Page 5Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - Page A5
O'Brien honoured for leadership, dedication as fire chief
The Goderich firehall was filled Tues-
day, Jan 6. as family, friends and members
of .the firefighting community gathered to
recognize Mike O'Brien for his 38 years of
service.
O'Brien, who joined the fire department
in 1970, has served as chief of the GFD for
the past 13 years. During that time he has
been witness to the evolution of training,
firefighting techniques and equipment, add-
ing that he had driven 12 of the 13 pieces of
equipment used by the department.
With O'Brien's retirement effective Dec.
31, Steve Gardiner has been appointed act-
ing fire chief. Speaking on behalf of the
department who were on hand and in full
dress, Gardiner expressed appreciation for
O'Brien's leadership and dedication to the
GFD.
"This is a big retirement for the depart-
ment. They are all important but this one is
bigger than most," he said. "I want to con-
gratulate Mike on his 38 years of service
to this department and for his 13 years of
leadership as chief."
The evening of recognition included con-
gratulatory messages from fire committee
chair, Coun. David Yates and Mayor Deb
Shewfelt. Both praised O'Brien for his lead-
ership and effective way in which he ran the
department. Mayor Shewfelt said the' mu-
nicipality would formally recognize Chief
O'Brien at a future meeting of council.
Characterizing the chief. as "old and kin-
ds grumpy" Jamie Zimmerman, Fire Pro-
tection Advisor with the Ontario Fire Mar-
shall's Office, presented gifts to O'Brien
and his wife, Bambara.
"I do say that in jest because he is a very
nice guy and he is a man of his word," Zim-
merman said. "Thirty-eight years is an in-
credible feat for anyone to 'achieve in vol-
unteer services because it is a difficult job,
it's stressful but it is rewarding.
Dale Baechler, now the longest serv-
ing member of the department, presented
O'Brien with his helmet. He commented
that he wondered why it took O'Brien so
long to retire and relayed a story about driv-
ing one of the deparment's vehicles with
O'Brien and his granddaughter aboard
When they returned the fire . truck to the
firehall, O'Brien's granddaughter inquired
why that other man was allowed to drive
grandpa's truck,
opt*
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Photos by Dave Sykes
Outgoing Goderich Fire Chief, Mike O'Brien andhis wife, Barbara,
accepted gifts from Fife Protection Advisor, Jamie Zimmerman of the
Ontario Fire Marshal's Office at special ceremonies in Goderich Jan.
6. O'Brien, who served as chief for 13 years, is pictured at right with
Dale Baechler, now the longest -serving member of the department.
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