Marc Kalbaugh served with the Hauser Lake Fire Department from 2008 to 2019. 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. 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. Beyond his writing for FireRescue1.com and FireChief.com, Avsec authors the blog Talking "Shop" 4 Fire & EMSand has published his first book, "Successful Transformational Change in a Fire and EMS Department: How a Focused Team Created a Revenue Recovery Program in Six MonthsFrom Scratch.Connect with Avsec on LinkedIn orvia email. She had come to see one of the district's exhibitions with one of the district's administrators. These fire fighters retirement speeches convey light-hearted and warm retirement wishes and end with appropriate toasts. View all posts by Hauser Lake FPD. We are all blessed to have had the privilege of working alongside such an incredible person. "Every single day you've got to do the job, whether your body's cooperating or not cooperating. I'm not saying you get there overnight, but in the end, it's the reason the fire service is the most trusted profession.". 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. 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. 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. A call intended to blow up firefighters with propane bombs, in which the bombs miraculously did not explode. Retirement Speech for My Firefighter Husband and Rolo Cigar Favors Monday, March 25, 2019byCathe Holden As the day drew near to the retirement dinner Government entity. 4. 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. 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. 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. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). 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. Swing into Spring is Thursday, May 4 in Downtown Palatine! A short retirement speech will allow you to be concise and still convey your message. A call intended to blow up firefighters with propane bombs, in which the bombs miraculously did not explode. Im sure youre as excited as I am to see me take that final walk down the corridor, knowing its the last time youll have to hear one of my speeches. 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! 8 Prospect St. My gratitude extends beyond words as I am leaving behind something thats defined me for over XX years. As a youth, he thought he'd pursue law enforcement work, joining a police explorer program. 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 "It does take on a rhythm," he said. Home It can also make for an excellent written piece for a retirement card or email greeting. Harold Schapelhouman almost didn't become a Menlo Park firefighter. Mastandrea then ended the ceremony by presenting interim Fire Chief Dave Wheelock with a gift. "It messed me up for a while," he said. ""It does take on a rhythm," he said. Follow Palo Alto Online and the Palo Alto Weekly on Twitter @paloaltoweekly, Facebook and on Instagram @paloaltoonline for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more. 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. Promptly at 4 p.m., the sound of bagpipes filled the air Another 40 years from now, he said, he's hoping the district will continue to adapt by gaining knowledge, technology and convenience through automation. Become a member today. But the physical test was another story. 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. Fittingly, Schapelhouman's last day was dedicated to a ceremony to promote staff members of the fire district. 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. Menlo Park Fire Protection District Chief Harold Schapelhouman gives a speech at his retirement party at Station 1 on June 28, 2021. 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. - Andrew Bernstein. Last call. "We almost died that night," he recalled.But there were victories too. No matter how much you complained, you will miss your fire service family within a relatively short period of time. Express / Weekend Express We spent countless hours brainstorming ideas and building projects together, often coming up with solutions for problems we thought would never be solved. She has won awards from the California News Publishers Association for her coverage of local government, elections and land use reporting. 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. I think about all the fantastic people Ive met who have helped me along the way from supervisors who encouraged me through challenging times to mentors who gave wise advice when the going got tough. Pitch Perfect Speeches for Every Audience with a 100% Money Back Guarantee, Air Force Enlisted Member Retirement Speech by Retiree. "Somebody has to go out and do the patient care.". Eric was the first of us. This article, originally published on March 3, 2015, had been updated. [Name] has worked at this company for [number] years and has been an integral part of its success. There were fires in which children perished. Choosing what to wear was a lot easier when it meant grabbing a clean uniform. We can save people I would have said in the past we would have lost. Over the years, Schapelhouman kept working in his chosen field, developing a specialty in urban search and rescue operations. 2 Today, I have many mixed emotions. If they have not, then they retire at whatever age past 57 when they reach that 20-year market. 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. All rights reserved. Northern New England 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. 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." 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. 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 Years later we found ourselves saying the same things, teaching the same things and protecting the next generation in the same manner. 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. 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. Kate Bradshaw writes for The Almanac, a sister publication of PaloAltoOnline.com. Please do your own research before making any online purchase. It had five grueling challenges, and to be considered for the district, each candidate had to complete all five. I dont know who to thank and who to start with. That transition, he said, "has been a huge evolution in patient care. 'It's a job where you can find the better part of yourself, if you're looking.'. Nothing says you've moved into the second half of life's football game like retirement. Expand on your ideas with the right tone. At least age 55 with 10 (Lets ask her again at day 100!) Wednesday, December 05, 2007 The Best Retirement Speech If you are just joining in today, be sure to read the posts below. But this department has a great tradition, the fire prevention, and, again, it's not me coming from Washington to tell you that. I have had some fire chiefs tell me that they have had to politely tell the retired fire chief to leave, with a simple, I got this. If youre the retired fire chief, be respectful. The fire truck museum at the district's newly rebuilt Oak Grove Avenue site will bear his name. Its been an honor and a privilege to have been part of this organization for the last XX years. He is a 2001 graduate of the National Fire Academy's EFO Program. A colleague, upon her retirement, said, "I'm not retiring, I'm 'refiring.'" 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. At least age 55 with 25 or more years of service you will receive $250 per month. 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. 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.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. This strategy allows you to focus efficiently on most of your speech and brainstorm ideas for a strong opening. Enjoy your retirement, Chief Schapelhouman! That transition, he said, "has been a huge evolution in patient care. Uploaded: Sun, Jul 11, 2021, 8:29 am 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. Every department is different, but the common denominator is the people who go out there and do the job.. Its been an honor to serve as a fire chief with all of you.. Become a Member Community Calendar WebThe Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD held a ceremony on Saturday (7/18/15) at their board meeting to promote two new lieutenants and two new battalion chiefs. He has held almost every rank in the Fire District and held each with distinction. Thank you for everything you have done for us! 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. 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. "Heck yeah, that was awesome!" "Somebody has to do the dirty work," he said. Build You know you're going into a fire driven building, but you're not just firefighters. Getting into the fire service was easy compared to what it was like to leave it. Microwaves can destroy any great dinner that has been sitting 5 hours while you were out on calls, sleep was actually something your parents made up so they had some peace and quiet, you can make 25 EMS calls in 24 hrs, and never ask anyone why they were "doing that" at 4:30' in the morning from there you realized something; the only 2 things a Firefighter wants in his or her career are time and opportunity. Whenever I see what is left of them today I tell them I learned "My Lesson" and thank you. Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). It takes a special kind of courage to go into a burning building and save lives. I worked extremely hard. "Fittingly, Schapelhouman's last day was dedicated to a ceremony to promote staff members of the fire district. Although I wont be in this office anymore, there are still plenty of contributions yet to come from me and those like me who will carry this legacy forward into our respective futures. "Sometimes people don't say thanks or are not nice, or are going through their own stuff you may not know about we have to be professional to them. Everything I tried to do was keeping that in mind to make the department the best it could be and make sure you were safe and able to do your job, Partridge said. "Fire seasons aren't getting smaller. So allow me to leave you with a few pieces of advice: Believe in yourself but never be afraid of asking questions and learning more; cherish every relationship you come across; and remember that hard work pays off even when you dont see it right away! He recalled ruminating on whether there was anything else he could have done to save the man. In 2021, the global US speech therapy market was valued at USD 4.13 billion. "The most satisfied retirees tended to be those who planned for their retirement several years in advance." 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. 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. PR MediaRelease 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. Copyright 2023 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. With the extremely risky work Schapelhouman took on, they worried about how a family would fit into the picture. WebJ860. Special Pubs Aquascape's Annual Fish and Plants Spring Sale! EASTON The Easton Fire Department is pleased to announce that many fire chiefs from the region, local firefighters and police officers, state and local officials, Eastons Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and members of the community gathered Wednesday to celebrate the retirement of Chief Kevin Partridge. As you bid farewell to your work life and embark on a new chapter in life, a well-written speech will serve as an inspiring reminder of all that has been accomplished. It was an emotional and poignant send-off for retiring Lake Zurich Fire Chief Terry Mastandrea on July 15. I received support from all of you.. 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. Captain Frederick, a member of the Covington Fire Department since 1993 and a firefighter since 1982, delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting on his career. 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. As we progress through the ranks, our circle of friends and colleagues shrinks. "It messed me up for a while," he said. 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. 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. 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. 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. He had been passed over in his first effort to join the Los Altos firefighting staff and had recommitted himself to his college coursework. Fail one, and you were out.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. When that retirement date comes and goes, it might seem like a divorce. Obituaries 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. If you have any Some notable accomplishments during their tenure here include: We will sorely miss their hard work, loyalty, and enthusiasm. He was left unable to walk and with only partial use of one hand. The traumas of his job early on almost deterred him from the field, he said. 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. These relationships made coming to work each day a pleasure rather than a chore. Here are a few quotes about fire along with bravery quotes to inspire you. Coming back wasn't easy, he said. Leadership PRIDE AND OWNERSHIP: THE LOVE FOR THE JOB: CEREMONIES THAT STOKE THE FLAMES OF TRADITION 1.1.2005 BY RICK LASKY 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. You have that Promotions 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. Here are a few things that you can expect to experience once you hang up your turnout gear for the last time. All rights reserved. Everybody here, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, said Mastandrea. Fail one, and you were out. "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. 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. Schapelhouman made his way in the door for that written test and passed it easily. 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. After years of living on a work cycle (mine was 24 hours on and 48 hours off), you'll find yourself needing to adjust to the world of the 40-hour work week, especially if you take on another job. 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. Hauser Lake Fire Chief Transition in theNews, Hauser Welcomes New Fire Chief and Other News for Hauser LakeResidents, Parting Words from a VolunteerFirefighter. 1 and the traditional walk-out ceremony began. Over his years as a firefighter and first responder within the fire district, there were plenty of harrowing and traumatic calls, he remembers. Over time that equals hours, then days, then weeks that you spend doing nothing but thinking about what shirt to wear. "The job essentially is bigger than any of us the responsibility to protect the community and serve the community," he said. interacts online and researches product purchases 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. WebThe monthly amount of you pension is determined by your years of service. So please join me in wishing [name] the best as they enter this exciting next phase of life. What is your favorite thing about Breakfast withSanta? EASTON -- The Easton Fire Department is pleased to announce that many fire chiefs from the region, local firefighters and police officers, state and local officials, Easton's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and members of the community gathered Wednesday to celebrate the retirement of Chief Kevin Partridge. "We got as close to 60 kids getting incinerated that day as you can get," he said.It was even through the fire district that he met the woman who would later become his wife. Embarcadero Media Or enter your email address here to subscribe for ALL updates from JGPR and our clients. But there still will be fires, and there will continue to be firefighters. With every challenge you face, there will always be someone new at your side willing to help you move mountains if you need it. 617-993-0003, Southern New England 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. Cheers! 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. 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. But also, it will be exciting to transition into a less demanding lifestyle. (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. "Somebody has to do the dirty work," he said. Privacy Policy A parade of fire, police and other emergency response vehicles, with their lights and sirens activated, traveled through the town before arriving at the station. The City of Covington thanks Captain Frederick, Battalion Chief Seth Poston, Assistant Chief Chris Black, and Engineer Nick Nazzarine for their years of service. Over time, Schapelhouman began to work more in the realm of fire prevention and advocacy. A&E Webretirement ceremony. You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments. The bagpipe player walked away, continuing to play his music, as the fire engines headed out to answer the call. 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. "We almost died that night," he recalled. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. It was even through the fire district that he met the woman who would later become his wife. 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. I worked extremely hard.". From the commissioners to our members husbands and wives, the dedication each and every one of you has to this Department, community, and the people you all help every day is truly commendable. Copyright 2023 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. Sign up to be notified of new comments on this topic. Visitor Info, Send News Tips Consider these retirement target hazards and pre-plan accordingly. Being light-hearted at the end of ones career is a graceful but uplifting way to bid farewell. Projects around the home that Ive masterfully avoided with But Ive gotta work excuses are already on a list taped to the fridge. I bid farewell to this great organization thats played such a meaningful role in my life. 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. She had come to see one of the district's exhibitions with one of the district's administrators. If there will be drinks and toasting (there will be), then make sure to plan it ahead of time. 2023-2029 "Speech Analytics Market" Insight, With 101+ Pages By IRB.
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