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by Michael Monks
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| Chief Chuck Norris |
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"He left an indelible mark of excellence at each stop (of his fire career)," Bamberger said, applauding what he recognized as the chief's dedication and passion about fire service, the Covington Fire Department, his firefighter family, and the citizens. Bamberger also cited Norris's email signature that included the quotation, "Set the example, don't be the example". Highlighting the outgoing chief's intelligence, creativity, analytical skills, and work ethic, calling him a mentor and leader, Bamberger added, "(Norris) worked tirelessly to make the Covington Fire Department a better and safer place to work."
"He left an indelible mark of excellence at each stop (of his fire career)," Bamberger said, applauding what he recognized as the chief's dedication and passion about fire service, the Covington Fire Department, his firefighter family, and the citizens. Bamberger also cited Norris's email signature that included the quotation, "Set the example, don't be the example". Highlighting the outgoing chief's intelligence, creativity, analytical skills, and work ethic, calling him a mentor and leader, Bamberger added, "(Norris) worked tirelessly to make the Covington Fire Department a better and safer place to work."
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Bamberger paused, fighting back tears as expressed that the chief exhibited these traits "from the moment he pinned on the lieutenant's single bugle to this morning when he pinned on the fire chief's five bugles."
Bamberger paused, fighting back tears as expressed that the chief exhibited these traits "from the moment he pinned on the lieutenant's single bugle to this morning when he pinned on the fire chief's five bugles."
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"I'm just one person," Norris said, also weighed down by the emotion of the moment. Every man, woman, brothers and sisters to me, they're the ones that make it happen. They're the ones sacrificing. A leader is only as strong as his team." He said that his decision to end his time as chief had nothing to do with any regrets, the City's finances, or the recent consultants report on how to reorganize the departments within City Hall, Norris said simply that it was just time to hang up his boots after more than thirty years in the field. "I've made so many friendships," he said. "It's been an honor and privilege to serve with each and every one of you."
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"You've been a solid rock for the City," said City Commissioner Sherry Carran as the vote to accept Norris's retirement began. City Commissioner Steve Casper, also overcome by tears, cast a symbolic vote against the retirement. Mayor Chuck Scheper also expressed his regret. "We didn't always agree on everything but I knew we could talk about anything," Scheper said. "I'm sorry for the City. We're losing a good employee."
"I'm just one person," Norris said, also weighed down by the emotion of the moment. Every man, woman, brothers and sisters to me, they're the ones that make it happen. They're the ones sacrificing. A leader is only as strong as his team." He said that his decision to end his time as chief had nothing to do with any regrets, the City's finances, or the recent consultants report on how to reorganize the departments within City Hall, Norris said simply that it was just time to hang up his boots after more than thirty years in the field. "I've made so many friendships," he said. "It's been an honor and privilege to serve with each and every one of you."
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| Norris congratulates acting Chief Dan Mathew |
"You've been a solid rock for the City," said City Commissioner Sherry Carran as the vote to accept Norris's retirement began. City Commissioner Steve Casper, also overcome by tears, cast a symbolic vote against the retirement. Mayor Chuck Scheper also expressed his regret. "We didn't always agree on everything but I knew we could talk about anything," Scheper said. "I'm sorry for the City. We're losing a good employee."
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EMS director Dan Mathew was unanimously appointed acting chief until a permanent hire can be made later in the year. "It's overwhelming as you can imagine," Mathew said. "Tonight, it's not about me, it's about these gentlemen who stand before us as we honor their service."
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Retirement offered time to reflect on City/Firefighters battle
EMS director Dan Mathew was unanimously appointed acting chief until a permanent hire can be made later in the year. "It's overwhelming as you can imagine," Mathew said. "Tonight, it's not about me, it's about these gentlemen who stand before us as we honor their service."
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Retirement offered time to reflect on City/Firefighters battle
Assistant Chief Alan Terry, who joined the fire department in 1986, spoke for several minutes upon his retirement announcement. "I worked under six chiefs and all did an excellent job but I got the greatest amount of pleasure in my job working with Chief Norris," Terry said. He continued, "A lot of things have gone on in the last few years and while there are a lot of disagreements, it's been good for the fire department because we've taken a good look at ourselves." Terry cited what he described as an increased focus on customer service, more safety classes, and an increase in fire inspections.
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| Alan Terry (L) is congratulated |
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In another emotional moment, Terry paused to collect himself as he recounted some of the tragedies he has encountered in his role as a fireman. "People don't see at three in the morning when a young lieutenant has to put two toddlers and their grandmother in body bags. When a sixteen-year old boy hangs himself with an electrical cord. How do you close your eyes at night after that?"
In another emotional moment, Terry paused to collect himself as he recounted some of the tragedies he has encountered in his role as a fireman. "People don't see at three in the morning when a young lieutenant has to put two toddlers and their grandmother in body bags. When a sixteen-year old boy hangs himself with an electrical cord. How do you close your eyes at night after that?"
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"That is why we fight so hard for our pay, our benefits, and our pensions. I can still see the faces of those toddlers, the four-year old boy who drowned in a pool. I'll see them for the rest of my life." Terry described the fire department as "the tip of the spear" in community protection. "When your smoke detector goes off, when your baby stops breathing, when your husband has a heart attack," the fire department gets the call. "It can't be the commission against the union or the union against the commission. We're all in this together. ...I love this city so much." Terry ended his speech with a hint at political aspirations. "Maybe someday I'll be sitting up there," he said, gesturing to the city commissioners.
"That is why we fight so hard for our pay, our benefits, and our pensions. I can still see the faces of those toddlers, the four-year old boy who drowned in a pool. I'll see them for the rest of my life." Terry described the fire department as "the tip of the spear" in community protection. "When your smoke detector goes off, when your baby stops breathing, when your husband has a heart attack," the fire department gets the call. "It can't be the commission against the union or the union against the commission. We're all in this together. ...I love this city so much." Terry ended his speech with a hint at political aspirations. "Maybe someday I'll be sitting up there," he said, gesturing to the city commissioners.
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Also retiring Tuesday night were Battalion Chief Bill Shelton who joined the department in 1986, Lieutenant Chuck Spenlau who joined in 1990 ("Everything that Alan said, that's why I gotta go. I can't keep up, so I'm outta here."), Engineer Todd Ryder who joined in 1990, and EMT/Paramedic Marty Finan who joined in 1992.
Also retiring Tuesday night were Battalion Chief Bill Shelton who joined the department in 1986, Lieutenant Chuck Spenlau who joined in 1990 ("Everything that Alan said, that's why I gotta go. I can't keep up, so I'm outta here."), Engineer Todd Ryder who joined in 1990, and EMT/Paramedic Marty Finan who joined in 1992.
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| The crowd applauds Chief Norris |
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| Assistant Chief Brian Bamberger |
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