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Chiefs past and present were honored when supporters of the Fort Morrow Fire District recently gathered for their annual dinner.
Longtime Fort Morrow Fire Department firefighter and deputy fire chief Tyler Lowe was sworn in as the new fire chief at a dinner held at Wald’s Fire Hall on January 21. He has been in office since 2003. I work in this department.
Marion County Commissioner Mark Davis took Rowe’s oath of office. Former Chief Bruce Baker pinned Lowe’s chief badge to his uniform, and former Chief Rex Henry presented Lowe with a certificate of promotion on behalf of the school district board.
Former Chief Kevin Eddington retired on January 1, 2023 after five years as District Chief. Under his leadership, the Fort Morrow Fire District transitioned from an all-volunteer district to a fully staffed division that dramatically expanded its service to the community.
“What he’s done for five years as chief, he’s staffed this building 24/7 and doubled our call volume (from about 260 in 2018),” Lowe said. said. “We were able to get over $500,000 in grants that saved taxpayers. Today, the department has far more moving parts than it did five years ago.
“I truly feel that it wouldn’t have happened had it not been for (former) Chief (Terry) Bowdre to put us in this building and Mayor Eddington to start with finishing it. We have to take over the department,” Lowe added. “I can’t say enough about what Chief Eddington did in his five years. You have done so much. Thank you.”
The department presented Eddington with a commemorative ax and helmet honoring his career and acknowledging his retirement.
Five former chiefs were honored at the dinner, including Eddington. That group included Terry Bodle (2009-2017), Mike Fogle (1989-2009), Rex Henry (1975-1989) and Bruce Baker (1962-1975).
“This is obviously very special,” Rowe said. “Tonight we had six fire chiefs in the room at the same time. I just wanted to give you this opportunity, it’s wonderful, and I thank each and every one of you for your service.”
Captain Mike Russell was honored as the 2022 Firefighter. Eddington praised Russell’s dedication and service to the department and his fellow firefighters.
“This award means a lot to us as chiefs, assistant chiefs and administrators,” said Eddington. given to people.”
Mayor Bruce Baker of the City of Waldo issued a statement to former chief Terry Bowdre and his son Ben Bowdre, honoring the family for their service to the community. This decree declared that all fire hydrants in the village of Waldo would be known as “Bodle Boys”. Baker said the proclamation was presented in honor of the late Jack Bowdre, father of Terry Bowdre and grandfather of Ben Bowdre, who was the Leesburg Township Fire Chief.
“Therefore, if resolved, the Waldo Village mayor and village council would like to commend the Bowdre Boys for their service to the Fort Morrow, Ohio Fire Department and Waldo Village,” Baker read the proclamation. Passed by the Village Council on January 3, 2023.
The Fort Morrow Fire District recognized two local residents for their service to the fire department and community during the late December snow emergency. Eddington presented Tommy Crawford and Jason Lehner with their Civil Service Award certificates.
Crawford helped free the department vehicles from the snowdrift and plowed the road in front of the team so they could provide much-needed medical assistance to the residents. Lehner also helped the department plow snow roads to help doctors reach women in need of medical care. Afterwards, I helped the doctor load the woman into a squad car and transport her to the hospital.
The village of Waldo established what would become the Fort Morrow Fire Station in 1890, with JL Porterfield as its first mayor. The village built its first fire station on East Main Street for $422.90. In 1978, the Fort Morrow Fire District was established.
Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter
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