Longtime Smyrna fire chief reflects on more than 35 years of service
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Bill, the fire chief for the Town of Smyrna, recounted more than 35 years with the department and said it is "time for a new set of eyes" while addressing the council and public.
Bill said he first became interested in the fire service as a child when he would leave council meetings to go to the fire bays and study the apparatus. He told listeners he applied for a new full-time position when the town created one and "became the town's first full time firefighter." He later became a lieutenant and, eventually, chief.
He described early staffing levels as operating "just 1 person from 8 to 4:30, full time," with "12 volunteers" supporting calls at that time. He credited the department's current members for the work they do and praised citizen support. "The people that are in the stations, operating the apparatus, fighting the fires today, they're the ones that are doing the work and they deserve the respect and the appreciation," Bill said.
Reflecting on his time in the role, Bill called his service "a blessing" and said the town has been "so good to me." He thanked council members and town employees for their support and said he welcomes new leadership: "It's time for a new set of eyes. I welcome them and challenge them to come in and see what these people have done here in this department and help them to make it better." At the same time, he said he plans to remain in Smyrna and be available to help with the town manager's approval: "I'm not going anywhere. I'm gonna be right here in Smyrna. And if I could ever do anything for the fire department or any department, with the town manager's blessing, I'm here and I'm ready to serve."
Bill also referenced a health episode in 2023 that "slowed me down a little" and said his immediate priorities include taking better care of his health and spending more time with his children. He closed by listing his three main priorities as "my religion, my family, and my community," and thanked citizens for their support.
Others in the meeting responded to his remarks; two participants said, "Thanks for the memory."
Bill said he first became interested in the fire service as a child when he would leave council meetings to go to the fire bays and study the apparatus. He told listeners he applied for a new full-time position when the town created one and "became the town's first full time firefighter." He later became a lieutenant and, eventually, chief.
He described early staffing levels as operating "just 1 person from 8 to 4:30, full time," with "12 volunteers" supporting calls at that time. He credited the department's current members for the work they do and praised citizen support. "The people that are in the stations, operating the apparatus, fighting the fires today, they're the ones that are doing the work and they deserve the respect and the appreciation," Bill said.
Reflecting on his time in the role, Bill called his service "a blessing" and said the town has been "so good to me." He thanked council members and town employees for their support and said he welcomes new leadership: "It's time for a new set of eyes. I welcome them and challenge them to come in and see what these people have done here in this department and help them to make it better." At the same time, he said he plans to remain in Smyrna and be available to help with the town manager's approval: "I'm not going anywhere. I'm gonna be right here in Smyrna. And if I could ever do anything for the fire department or any department, with the town manager's blessing, I'm here and I'm ready to serve."
Bill also referenced a health episode in 2023 that "slowed me down a little" and said his immediate priorities include taking better care of his health and spending more time with his children. He closed by listing his three main priorities as "my religion, my family, and my community," and thanked citizens for their support.
Others in the meeting responded to his remarks; two participants said, "Thanks for the memory."
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